I'm in the trades and finding good cintractors is tough.

Even if I choose to buy my own place first in LA somewhere where I can afford, I will look out of state and/or turn key afterwards because I don't have the cash to make these big swing investments and I like spreading out my investments.

Residual income is the key, most people just trade money for time.

The prices can swing a fair amount based on the economy as these are second homes.John Corey

I have a Ford E350 van with tools organized into tool boxes by trade or type of repair.

I worked in the trades myself for a while, and the guy I learned the business from REFUSED to go to HD or Lowes.

I also plan to use eBay and some of the consignment auctions to see if I can get better deals than HomeDepot/Lowes.You may try to see if you can sign up with some of the local contractor supply houses that specialize in certain trades (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, etc).

- Putin will pull out after EU and NATO sanctions block oil trade with Russia and give him a way out that also allows him to save face.

You will only sell that house if buyers consider the trade off having a nice house (or a cheap house) on a busy street worth the sacrifice.And you wonder why agents were all so off on the price...many agents will take any listing and tell you any price so they get your listing and then they will use your house to get buyers for other properties.

In my area NJ that can range from $30 to 60 an hour alone (for the HVAC trade) depending on the of company!