@Steve Alexander forget Real Estate, write a book and go on the 'get rich quick' circuit - you are the modern Don Lapre!

Here you gohttp://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/Finance/Taxes/TaxSale/Pages/default.aspx The holder of a certificate of sale may at any time after the expiration of six months from the date of sale, file a complaint in the Circuit Court to foreclose all rights of redemption of the property to which such certificate relates.

They punched a bunch a holes in the bottom and sides with a breaker on a backhoe, caved in the sides, filled with dirt and compact.

This was published two days ago and is very informative: http://www.forbes.com/sites/groupthink/2014/02/28/2014-crowdfund-trends-top-20-wall-breakers-of-real-estate-investing/.

But is that something a deal breaker or a negotiating point?

An alliterative would be trying to bring a claim in circuit court with a lawyer.

A little ice breaker gift, they get a little less apprehensive about the new owners, they talk a bit more than they were planning to, and they share how their hours were cut at work, or their girlfriend who lives there isn't the same girlfriend who is on the lease, or their son brings his dog when he visits on weekends, or their mom lives two doors down, so this apartment is really convenient for helping her out.

Consider your market.A fear, whether real or perceived, can be a deal breaker for some people.

The house needs everything: Roof, gutters, siding (asbestos shingles nailed over older cedar shingles), drainage abatement, rehabbed bath, total kitchen, replaced flooring (half), refinished flooring (other half), back steps, total landscape, HVAC (old furnace is missing), insulation (2" in attic; none elsewhere) additional electrical circuits, plumbing includes iron pipes, interior trim and paint.

FPE breaker box....stab-lock breakers are reputed to fail and the breakers are no longer sold except used ones on ebay.