Perhaps the homeowner can turn back the deed to the mortgage holder, in lieu of foreclosure.  

I see two major areas I will target (NOT exclusively) in 2025.  1.

The house is priced as if it's a 2B, 1.5BATH but at some point someone has added a "bedroom" in the attic. 

I know that there are some extra requirements of the USDA loan like the property needing to be in move-in ready condition, but assuming I would be looking at move-in ready properties, are there any other hurdles I am overlooking in using USDA financing? 

You're gonna get your houses robbed a lot.

But this will depend on the area that you are buying in.

Our first remote rental in Iowa seemed like a smooth deal—fully renovated, no major work needed.

Never considered it a market to invest in.

My dad was a contractor, so I've grown up building houses, remodeling, etc.

This strategy showcases how buying directly from motivated sellers, renovating strategically, and selling retail can yield substantial financial gains in a relatively short time frame.