Harrison:The only other option I can think of (well...not the only one (lol) is to utilize private/commercial lender.

-vacancy rate-maintenance-utilities-property mgt-other-property tax-insurance

I guess you would have to just look at one deal at a time.

I'm not defending the HOA but I'll bet the reason youre not getting services you normally are provided with is because there are a ton of owners either walking away, being foreclosed up etc who are just not paying dues.

Just start out hiring one person, have that person make a certain amount of calls for, a certain amount of time (obviously your decision) Best case scenario - you'll get a ton of deals and learn all the rights and wrongs of what to say on the phone.

- You made a ton of money flipping in 2004 and 2005.

Thanks for your input guys, but neither of you answered the question, which was not a "trick" question Dan.I often am asked by new investors if they should use the services of attorneys, CPAs, etc. or go at it alone until they make enough $ to afford them.That is the common question, not how much financial planners make. the FP was just one of many professional which a person can utilize, I was not specifically referring to them.Any real thoughts on how YOU would answer this question if asked of you by a new investor?

The only hurdle is finding the ability to utilize leverage.

Basically neighborhoods that you and I would not be afraid to live in at one point and time in our lives.

There are a ton of nay sayers out there.