It's always scary not knowing the unknown.  

New construction is pretty straight forward...if it's renovation on an older property budget in 10% to 20% for unknowns.  

I believe I've seen the wording "Unknown Occupants 1-10" or "John Doe 1, John Doe 2" etc.

We like to pretend we are wizards, but the fact is that even the best lender in the world is not capable of controlling when your mother will die or what stupid thing the listing agent will do or when unknown medical debt from 15 years ago will suddenly pop up.

The owner lowered the rent for the upper unit tenant to keep him around after his Wife left him so he did not have to deal with an unknown new tenant coming in, since the upper has been there for 6 years and is very clean.  

My main concern is that there are too many unknown variables for someone like me with very limited experience.  

. - Another thing about the HOA that is unknown is how well it's finances are in order.

They want to make sure their lien is recorded first, and maybe a few are afraid of an unknown lien holder foreclosing (subject to the first lien) without their knowledge.

I wish you the best of luck, but with a short sale there are a lot of unknowns.

I'm not asking you to give up your secret sauce, but it's frustrating to read your response given I spent unknown thousands of $$ to make sure I don't get myself into a jam with the government and am following the rules.Where's the case law I can show my attorneys and originators they are morons?