I look forward to reading of your successes.

I had success in getting foundation companies to come out and evaluate the property, provide a formal estimate for the repairs, and have no issue providing the required supporting data for Fannie Mae.

It has resulted in mixed success.

This thread should give you some help:http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/67/topics/78889-smoker-rehab-keys-to-success-with-tobacco-smoke--before-after-pics

For the most part I'm venting here, but I'd love to know how many of you who are years into this and running a successful REI business for your selves, A) at the beginning felt like throwing your hands into the air, and B) what you did to keep your self from getting broken down by the difficulties starting out.To give a little context here...I have been feeling really great about the progress I've made of the last 6 months.

I've had some success in find distressed sellers in the past and I'm looking to expand that part of my business.

I just spoke with a property manager, not necessarily the one I would go with, but he said that he would not advise renting the garage separately as it would affect the rental value of the house as a whole, and also they have rented garages before and haven't had that much success in doing that, it took a while to rent and they didn't realize a good income with it.

Jon K goes at this completely different and I'm sure he will weigh in on the success he has had.

The length of time out of the work force is also considered, generally I would say less than 5 years because that is the longest period I have successfully accomplished this and she was an attorney, who had a corporate job starting having gotten out for the care of her child.

hi BPjust another curiosity post.I have NEVER successfully flipped a property.hoping to flip my first this year...although I am thinking it may turn into a buy/holdmy first flip, turned into rental and then sold (2 yrs total)my second flip was a LIVE in flip... knowing I was owning for only a few years.all my other properties were buy/hold/rental from the start.so Question:How many actual flips have you done?