Mike A, where do you see the deals advertised? Do you

I get emails from most of the big box stores each day. For example, I got an email this morning that they had flooring for "up to 75% off" so I clicked the link and looked through catalog (the clearance items were mixed in), found the flooring I wanted in hickory and placed an on-line order for the quantity in-stock. I actually bought out 2 different Lowes stores to get the quantity I needed. They will have it pulled and waiting for me by the pro-desk by this afternoon.

Material prices are insane, no doubt.

What ever your issues are, you can kiss the ground where your property stands and thank the lord your not anywhere near to Los Angeles!

Recently (last year) I took back a property that I had sold and carried back the first mortgage. L.A. City sent me a letter that my grass was over grown, the patio overhang had rotten out wood and the property needed painting. Complete the work in 10 days or else I will be fined $1,500.

I had my attorney send back to a response to the City Attorney, Building and Safety, Code Compliance, the County Health Department and the Mayor's office, that I just became the owner, again, after many years. I was the Mortgage Holder and Foreclosed. Under the lending law, Mortgage Holder/Owners are not "TREATED" like common criminals, and such, are give normally 90 days to comply without any fines.

My attorney's response was ignored by all. My fine escalated to $3,000, even though my attorney "PAID" the fine at the City Counter with his Law Firms Check from his million dollar funding account.

We, my attorney and I, appeared before a Superior Court Judge. I gave proof and testimony, then my attorney also gave the court a Bank Certified Copy of the payment check being deposited into the City's Checking Account.

My Attorney asked the Judge to read into the record the following facts:

Mortgage Holder/Owner Fined after a 10 day notice on non-critical violations. Licensed Contractor/Owner Filed for Permit to do Exterior Paint Removal and Repairs on "Lead Based Paint", and was denied a permit, until after a $500 report was filed with the city showing the percentage of Lead Based Paint and the Credentials of the Contractor. And that even after the Report was filed and the Fine was Paid by the Attorney, the permit wasn't granted.

So as a reward to the City, my grass is over 3 feet tall and a sign/banner hands over the front of the property, "City demands work performed but refuses to issue permit -- hoping to cash in on a $1,500 fine".