The key question to ask is "what is the ratio of assessed value to true market value in this community" The tax man often tracks this by taking all the sales that occur and compare them to their assessments.In extreme cases I have seen City's in upstate NY which had a ratio of assessment to true market value of 20%, which is to say if they say a property is worth $20,000, it may actually have a market value of $100,000Where computers have helped track market data, and market conditions (and the high taxes on properties) are a big deal in a lot of communities, many places, such as here in Mass, re-assess very frequently in attempt to keep taxes fair.

Say a pipe in a wall bursts, a tree falls, or AC goes out in the middle of summer.

At the present rate they are going to get nothing so if they could pull out say a 2% fee they will likely do a dance.

If I were you I would look at the possibility of flipping lots.Lets say a property is damaged beyond repair and the insurance company pays off the mortgage.

I will say a couple of things.

Is it possible to find what a house sold for say a month or two ago without having to use the MLS?

I hate to say, as an experienced real estate broker, that I have not had a buyer do inspections on a HUD house, during the winter, before.Ive done inspections for a buyer on a HUD deal in the summer, without issues.

One one hand you could say as long as the french drain has been around but on the other hand, it would have been after they stopped using hallowed out tree trunks for pipe.

I'd say a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

That residential condo rehab project may require a low initial get in now amount and additional purchase money deposits as construction proceeds.IMO, I can make the argument that this is not financing a purchase, it's an agreement to save toward the sale price and when savings are sufficient, or at any time, the seller has the right to close.I'd say a lender would buy this more so than the lease-option as to the due on sale clause under the argument just mentioned.Another plus for the purchase agreement is that a buyer may agree to pay for improvements or repairs necessary!