Great list @Ky Sharp If you are confident in your analysis and buying all cash the appraisal/bpo isn't necessary but an appraisal may help you negotiate if it comes in low.We like to have two or three mgt companies walk the property during due diligence and propose their mgt plan that includes a capex and/or repositioning budget.If the subject property and all properties nearby are the only things ever built on the land there you may not need a phase 1 environmental but if it's a large property and/or you're bringing in outside capital (lenders or equity partners/investors) having one demonstrates your thoroughness and professionalism even if one is not required.If there isn't a recent survey one it may be required but if one is not required getting a new one falls under the same considerations as above.We have gone to always having an engineer do the inspection even though it can be 2x what a non-engineer inspector may charge.

If this is not the case, you need to make sure you are priced right, have great professional pics, are very accessible, show great always, etc. or can become a stale listing quick and then if you agent up it's too little too late usually.

@Paul Jamgotch most people can easily create self employment activity, but you should consult with the tax professional regarding your specific situation.

The downtown apartments market is definitely dominated by young professionals and empty nesters.

And then there are professional (or should I say habitual) risk takers, who lose money, but get to keep everything....including their secretaries.We never know all the details, so who are we to judge?

With us both having hectic careers, it has seemed to be the best way to enter the field.A friend, Oscar Perez, recommended the site and I am finally de-lurking.I am currently devouring all the podcasts and getting a great deal out of them.Our long term goal is to be economically supported by our real estate investments and see about having me transition to becoming a real estate professional.

That being said, I am in no way licensed or officially a professional in the construction business but I am a great handy man and I can demolish things like nobody's business.I have set some solid goals for 2014 including actually starting my business.

Stelco steel left Hamilton a few years back and there were negotiations about building a professional football stadium for the Hamilton Tiger Cats.

The eviction crew there professional companies on the Marshalls list of 8 to 10 people that do it fast but they will cost a few hundred a pop so better to get the tenants out ahead of time.

@Jason MercheyYou have a big advantage to almost all buyers by being a professional home inspector.