A variation on the lowball listing price is the "auction" process.

When you find a deal, have someone lined up who would be interested in partnering with you on it - some people call this a variation of "bird dogging".

I think competition and variation is good for the consumer and they were on their way to monopolizing the market.

I am also familiar with the electrical variation that you describe.  

Definitely need more info to guide you better, since there are many options and variations of real estate investment strategies that can be utilized for different property types and locations.

There are a lot of variations on this theme, but typically what happens is the seller contributes 5% to the "non-profit" who in turn uses 3.5% that money as a grant to the buyer for a down payment since FHA allows certain non-profits to donate toward a down payment.

This way when recovery happens gives more time for primary lease term cash flow versus an option.Every state now has variations on WHEN they are opening, WHO is allowed to open, and at what TIME and STAGE that can occur.

Stained wood has warmth, variation, and pattern.Everybody is doing the monochrome thing. 

That changes of course based on the price of propane.Somethings you can ballpark, like internet or cable as the variations from area to area won't be that huge unless it isn't available and you have to use satellite internet or the like.IMHO, you best bet is to choose the area you are thinking and start running numbers on averages from the various utilities etc.

While there is wide variation in wealth between towns (Sandusky is generally poorer than Vermilion), I still worry that even in the "wealthier" towns, there just is not a lot of demand for a nicely rehabbed house.