It does have a busy shopping area, and a mall that desperately needs attention.

I will say that for lenders, if you're going to meet one it helps if you have a deal you've done that you can talk about with them, or a specific deal you're considering - or at least some examples of what you're looking for, and the more specific the better.Basically, the more that you can show that you're serious, either by having a track record or by being able to talk intelligently about the kind of project you'd potentially ask them to lend on, the more seriously they'll take you as a potential borrower.It's not unlike a startup seeking funding from an angel investor, there's a whole psychology to it as far as showing that you have some knowledge and presenting it as a safe lending opportunity for them without coming across as "needing" the money because any hint of desperation will turn off a lender or investor quickly.BP has some great resources on this, you could search Bigger Pockets Raising Private Money or something like that.

. $500 (due to a promotion I received) and in addition we have regularly paid anywhere from $30-$150 extra principle a month when we can- because I am SO desperate to pay our mortgage off before we are 60!

If representing the Seller I would Never advise them to do a sub2 deal as there are severe risks for the seller....unless they were very desperate and facing immediate foreclosure, maybe. 

The good news is that I am in a great house and great location now, and still able to build my savings every month, so I am not in desperation mode, but still want to get the ball rolling on my investment career.  

Chris , you desperately want to believe a lie 

Banks are NOT desperate to unload a property (yet).

Depending on the suburb you choose to invest in, you can find countless landlords and desperate sellers trying to get out.

The guy who desperately needs to sell his house and doesn’t care about your offensive misleading headline because he read your message and realized you might help him.

In my market, and probably your market as well, there is a desperate need for reliable property management.