I thought we already cleared that up (see post #2).I was merely using your description of a mentor when inquiring of your retirement which basically meant that I wasn't counting on you being my "mentor" any time soon. ;)Believe me, I have paid many times over for things that were of no value to me and have also received some "complimentary" things that were of more value than I could have put a price tag on. 

., if the house is worth $10,000 and they owe $5000 in back taxes, offer $5000 plus you assume the back taxes. he is a trick not mentioned yet. some, not all, local governments will allow the owner to make a payment arrangement on the back taxes. you simply just have to go into the treasurers office and ask. here in western new york, there is one local that will allow you to put just 25% down and make payments for the next year and a half. you do NOT have to tell the current owner about this. if you structure your deal to include you assuming the back taxes, you are not stating that you will pay them up front, you merely stated that you will assume responsibility for them. check with the local authorities and see if you can work such a deal

Carpet is merely a giant lint brush fastened to your floor.

I use it as merely a representation of investor sentiment.  

It must be in writing, exercisable within a specific term, and either recite a price or a formula to compute a price.By contrast, a ROFR merely requires the owner, when and if he or she decides to sell, to first offer the property to the holder of the ROFR (i.e., the buyer) at the market price then prevailing.

I have not had the luxury to evict anyone in 9 years though I am sure my time is past due; the letters from an attorney or two that I have used commands complaince or the mere threat of an eviction.

When I was just starting out, I got turned down when I tried to borrow a mere $10,000 from a private lender!

In lieu of a note secured by trust deed or mortgage you can merely secured your agreement with a Performance Trust Deed signed by owner in order to secure the active partner. 

My theory is that your friends partner, who has a theoretical equity of about $75k, is hoping that you will carry the 50% bag for him for the "mere" sum of $68k, then you and your friend will have to squabble over the rest.

I am looking at becoming an agent from the standpoint of investing - so I have a lot of the benefits that agents have, can look at properties I like quickly, but also use myself as an agent so I can obtain the 3% commission myself when I buy property and saving commission when I sell -- this would not be a full time job, merely part-time.