How to Proceed?

[Jason K]

Bank owned REO Duplex, only ten years old, great shape, and great neighborhood. Rents are 725 a side.

This does not conform to the 2% rule, but we are in a great neighborhood which in the long term I will see nice appreciation and this area has the best schools in town, so easy to rent.

Gentlemen owned 5 of them and has been foreclosed on. They were all separate mortgages, so each one has been going through the process.

The 1st one was priced at 130k, had four offers and sold that day.

The 2nd one will be up in the next couple weeks. I have contacted the broker directly about the property, not my own agent.

What is the best way to proceed to make sure I get the next one. I was going to forgo my agent and let him know that I plan on dealing with him directly, thus upping his commission to 6%.

Should I go to my bank and getting a guarantee of funds to submit with my offer?

Thanks in advance, long time lurker - first time poster
Jason