I took the cash and invested $20,000 in the  purchase in a first lien note with an interest rate of 9.5% discounted to yield 18%.  

Normally I wouldn't be targeting this one, just hard to pass up the discount + 10k year in "gifts" on the seller financed portion. 

What I mean by that is, you need to establish good relationships with the listing agents that list REO's and distressed discounted properties.

Other homes in the area seem to sell quickly and without discounts. 

I consider myself getting that % of a discount, so I reduce expenses rather than get a passive cashflow.

I know of one builder that digs their heels in because honestly they can, they have lines of people buying their units so there is no incentive to give discounts.

A client has asked me before whether it better to ask my tenants shovel the driveway and walkways (and offer a slight discount on rent) or should I hire a company to do it myself to make sure it gets done properly?

Welcome to BP @Spencer Tillman, we noticed you aren’t a Pro member at this time and we would love to offer you a 20% off discount to start taking action in investing with confidence!

You only really have a couple of options.HELOC/LOC with the property as security.Refinance the first and walk away with a bigger first.A great way to get into properties with little money down though is to buy distressed assets at a discount, force appreciate them, and refinance to pull the cash out.

He came back and said that discussing price discounts that he's established with vendors wasn't appropriate.