Every day for weeksI'm not recommending this for anyone, but I would stop at obviously abandoned properties that had potential and wander around, looking in windows and sometimes going into the house - through an 'unlocked' rear door of course :-)Sometimes the windows are boarded up and you cannot get a view of the inside....then it's just your knowledge and your gut once again.Go to the County and look up the owner....send them a nice letter....even make a dollar offer if you feel so inclined. 1 in 10 might respond.This is the way to find deals with a lot of equity potential IMHO. 

Lenders may provide a Letter of Interest and this will give you a soft loan commitment from the lender.

@J DubsIf you are not currently a remote employee, lenders are going to be looking for an offer letter in Florida, that details your start date, employment terms, etc.

100% Seller Financed deal with a flexible balloon option if the seller were to need the funds in case of emergency.

Document EVERYTHING... every conversation, every contact, every document from the remediation company etc etc etc.Then I would send him a certified letter that states all necessary precautions, accommodations and solutions were done.

Direct mail has been my best source of leads...letters and postcards. 

If they caused you damages due to their violations of rules governing licensed brokers, you may be able to make a claim through the Real Estate Recovery Fund.2) either you or your attorney send an official termination of services letter (if you haven't already), wherein you need to demand that they remove listings, return to you your property they are holding, disburse your money to you by a date certain. 3) if they fail to comply with your demand, contact an attorney to prosecute the remedy.You can attempt to re-list your property yourself or with a new management company, but you may run into problems with listing websites when they see an existing listing for the same property.

I am considering posing this as a zero interest deal, so the $72,000 ($2,000 x 36 months) paid in the 3 years leading up to the balloon would go straight into the principal, and so will the $17,500 down payment.

California, to my pleasant surprise passed a new law that went into effect January 1 that allows property owners to file a Letter of Agency with local law enforcement which notifies them that the property is vacant.

I was given the impression that it was a special deal for us, but as I read the engagement letter, the money back guarantee was a standard language, offering clients 30-day money back guarantee.