@Michael Manchester ya like the banks are in a holding pattern

:I am struck by the difference between what a lot of the people writing here did/are doing and the common pattern we see people new to real estate so frequently ask about here on BP (but also locally for me here, in Allegheny County where the 'Burgh is, median home value $214K).

Originally posted by @Tchaka Owen:@Chris Hanisco - think about the $400-600/mo you won't be able to spend on your son and yourself because you're being charitable to someone who has shown a pattern of not respecting the property you are purchasing.

It costs ~$500/window in brick buildings, where they take out the existing steel-framed windows, the steel pans, build wood frames, install new vinyl windows, faux marble sills, and then trim using painted wood on the inside and aluminum on the outside. 

This provider, in addition to 3x rent as qualifying income, they also look at the budget, credit, and spending patterns of the prospect tenant and see their DTI ratio as a contributing factor.

Did my own vanity of marble tiles and would not do it again, too porous no matter how much you seal.Photo is of super cheap cabs with $5/ft granite tiles.

One guy is painting the entire interior, installing marble tile flooring throughout the house, built a wood fence (even though it had a chain link fence) and pouring a new driveway!

Meanwhile Joe is busy learning fundamental analysis, technical analysis , candlestick charts patterns, listening to quarterly company conference calls, diversification etc etc .

Knowing local flood plains, city ordinances, future developments, market patterns, and countless other things is a mass amount of information to expect someone to research and digest when looking for property.Even with investors, the demographic that you claim is most likely to not need an agent, still want one typically on the buy side. 

Presently, what I CAN afford are crappy units in the bad parts of Sacramento, so, I am presently in a holding pattern.