My sister is one of the most independent people I know. She doesn’t ask for anyone’s assistance if she, herself, can do the job. For example, I went to visit her recently to see her compete in her first triathlon--I was her fan club. Well, when we came back from the triathlon she had her bike, her two bags (she allowed me to carry one for her), and when we got to her door she couldn’t find her keys. “Here, let me get that for you,” I said. I found the keys only to have her take them from me; somehow she was balancing one of the bags on her back so she had a free hand. “I can get it, Sam,” she said. And she did as I started laughing. “You’re so independent, it’s ridiculous. I’m trying to help you!” We both started laughing then, as my sister let us into her apartment. Well, rehab investors can have the same sort of independent spirit as my sister. When the fixer upper requires mostly cosmetic repairs, it’s incredibly tempting to try and do it all yourself. After all, who needs a contractor to paint, clean, and cut the grass? I should know, because I’ve been there. I’ve painted an entire condo, every inch of wall and woodwork, and vowed shortly thereafter that I had painted enough for a lifetime. Now, gut rehab jobs are an entirely different story. Many investors who tackle these sorts of homes are also skilled contractors or have a well-established network of professionals. This is why I don’t recommend gut rehabs to the beginner; what is a money-making opportunity for the expert can be a constant headache-causing travesty for the novice. Like most things, successful rehab investing is about balance. While it’s true that most of us can handle a paintbrush, it’s equally true that not all of us can re-hang cabinets or switch out light fixtures. Certain things can be learned, and it’s wise for the serious rehabber to at least be familiar with the basics. But there’s also wisdom in knowing your own limits and hiring help when it’s necessary; this concession could end up saving you lots of money. Also, many rehab loans actually require you to hire contractors for certain jobs. But I did find a site, go to www.spec-loan.com and then click on hard money loans up top, which gave investors the decision to do it themselves or hire a contractor. (This loan program actually had a lot of impressive qualities on the whole). So while a little independence is a good thing (my darling sister would adamantly agree), know your own limits and when to hire a contractor.