Advice for a rookie investor

[Kimberly Martin]

Hi Everybody!

I am just starting wholesaling and have been reading the BP boards now for 1 month and trying to absorb all the information that I can from the experts here. So much so, that I started to get "analysis paralysis." You see, I live (temporarily) in an active retirement community out here in sunny AZ, and have a property that I live close to that has been for sale (by owner, no mls) for awhile. It has been for sale a few times, then for rent, and now it is for sale with a lease/option. I have pulled comps on this home and its' value is around $96,000(2 b, 1b 1086 sqft.). Well, I have been very hesitant to contact the seller(Fear), but today I took action! I contacted the seller, and he wants way more for the home than it is worth($154,000). Nearby comps are selling for $95,000 in the past 4 months. I didn't want to offend him, but I asked what he wanted for a cash buy, and he said $144,000. Still too high. But I wanted to know from everybody here on the board. Should I just move on? or negotiate? The seller is now living in North Phoenix, so this is a second home that I'm sure he would like to get rid of. However, he sounds like he is emotional about the home(put in some upgrades). So, I am wondering, should I just move on? Or keep him on my radar, maybe for a sandwich lease? Please help! and apologies for the long post!Thank you for any and all advice!