Adequate advice, but some items are incorrect or off-base. For example: Roofing. Many jurisdictions only permit 2 layers; in any case, 3 can put a lot of stress on roof joists. And it should cost nowhere near $15K for a roofing job on 1 1,000 sq. ft. home. Prices vary by location, but get bids--it's more like $5,000 for a 1,200 sq. ft. home. eflores is right that items like roofing, foundation, etc., won't return value. But you've got to know the true fix-up expenses. eflores didn't mention the use for the screwdriver. One use, beyond unscrewing things, is to check for termites (and carpenter ants, etc.) Look for wood areas outside the house--around doorways, for instance. Jab the screwdriver HARD into the wood. Rotted wood or wood infested with termites will give away like cardboard. And that's another of those expensive-to-fix no-payback situations. eflores is incorrect about buying a house to flip. Some flippers use real estate agents; some don't. As for mortgage penalties, for gosh sakes get a mortgage that works for flipping. A conventional residential mortgage doesn't. Or, if you're just flipping, get a hard money loan (for instance, 5 points and 16% interest...high, yes, but you qualify on the basis of the property, the loan can include fix-up money, and often the interest and points aren't paid until you sell the property...so it's no money out of your pocket.) eflores does acknowledge the value of professional inspectors, but suggests that with some experience you might waive the home inspection contingency. NO. Any house can have very expensive hidden problems. And especially homes that you're buying as fixer-uppers or to flip. more »

Not very impressive. Has some decent information about correcting incorrect information on credit reports. But almost no information about building or rebuilding credit...especially, what to do if those darn credit reports are accurate. Worse, this article is a transparent ad for a software program. And there are lots of tips for raising credit scores that aren't even mentioned. more »