layers) and essentially did a full gut rehab, including correcting some structural issues caused by an attempted "fix" of a bad tub surround in the shower.

A real estate broker, for the purposes of this article, is defined to be a person, firm or corporation who, for a fee, commission or other valuable consideration, or by reason of a promise or reasonable expectation thereof, lists for sale, sells, exchanges, buys or rents, or offers or attempts to negotiate a sale, exchange, purchase or rental of real estate or an interest therein, or collects or offers or attempts to collect rent for the use of real estate or solicits for prospective purchasers or assists or directs in the procuring of prospects or the negotiation or closing of any transaction which does or is contemplated to result in the sale, exchange, leasing, renting or auctioning of any real estate or negotiates, or offers or attempts or agrees to negotiate a loan secured or to be secured by mortgage or other encumbrance upon or transfer of any real estate for others, or any person who, for pecuniary gain or expectation of pecuniary gain conducts a public or private competitive sale of lands or any interest in lands.

I will attempt to be brief but informative.My wife and I are both in our mid twenties.

I have never attempted real estate investing before (except to buy my own home). 

I can't speak on how demo is done in certain states but from what I could tell you being a license contractor here in NY and you being in NJ which should not be much difference is do the following steps.1- have them demo and take everything plumbing and electric.2- the only scrap metal you should keep is copper, but also negotiate with the demo grew to reduce some cost if they want the copper, all other scrap metals are not word it.3- has for the electric, just have them leave you 2 plugs because that's all you need until you update all your electrical. mostly all power tools are cordless so I doubt you will blow a fuse and you don't need any light because you work will be done during the day.ALSO NOTE: do not have anybody mess/touch/remove with any electrical panel or any electrical box, leave that for a license electrician to do because thats a big safety issue that could bring a lawsuit if a non-license electrician gets any injury for attempting to do so.

You then are attempt to acquire leads with "direct mail" and "driving for dollars".Direct Mail is a low return marketing channel, and the very best you can expect (even Kohl's, Vons, any local real estate broker) is a 1-3 percent return rate. 

If you are ever sued the attorneys will attempt to "pierce the viel" which means to show that you were operating as an individual rather than a corporation.

When attempting to purchase a pre-approved short sale, is it possible to negotiate a lower purchase price? 

Hi all,I'm attempting to get in contact with a Trustee on a property [not a foreclosure], from what I can tell this person is the Trustee for a family/group trust. 

(primarily so they stop attempting to communicate demands that I believe are outside the signed lease)===========================================Background:  We have relocated from Northern Virginia back towards the west coast.