Policy will not impact the market for a while, even a $25k first-time home buyer credit will need some time to work through the system.

I am seeing some AMAZING deals in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge as well as the Blue ridge are of N Ga that are HUGE equity gains because prices are lower in this buyers market and also cash flowing much better than last year.

Real- Estate  is a lot tougher game now because of technology now allowing buyers, sellers to access the market using the internet without using agents but  you do have hot areas that can support  more bodies .

The type who will ignore great advice and fail then the blame society, the govt and the media..

Just a flipper that keeps his property as a rental, which is what many flippers do when they fail to sell. 

Quote from @Terri Absher: @Jay Hinrichs STOA was the lender and the end buyer.  

Or if you plan on staying in the property for a while, some people aim to just pay less than their current rent.In a real estate market where housing affordability is a major concern, house hacking actually stands out as an even more valid strategy than ever for buyers.

If the buyer does not have the financial ability to close, and won’t close without being able to flip the contract, then quite possibly the buyer has committed fraud. 

Clearly the buyers do not value them the same.  

@Anna Davis - I agree with Stuart that most properties at Auction need some level of work, especially for a retail/consumer buyer.