I even sent her a box of chocolates after the one listing we saw together in appreciation for her taking the time, even though she had to go to the property anyway to take pics for the listing - but she chatted with me and gave me advice.

But you are in a pinch, so here you go:* Can you call on a family member or friend to be on the loan with you or do a "gift".

For example, if we agree on a purchase price of $1M and a commission of 2.5% for buyer agent (me), could I:1) Reduce purchase price from $1M to ~ $975,000 (less difference from making seller agent whole)2) Agree to make seller agent whole (receive $25k gross commission)I know this is penny pinching but I'd prefer this over a standard deal so that I could lower my property tax rate and also not incur income tax on the commission.I feel that this wouldn't work as I would most likely have receive some amount of income for my services. 

Once you've built up a reasonably strong relationship with your title company, they do tend to help you hit hard deadlines in a pinch, bumping you to the font of the line because of the volume of business you're running through them.But even with that, 3 day close is pretty rough.

In a pinch, it's sometimes easier (and cheaper) to replace the whole unit with a used appliance rather than pay for a service call and repair.

Don't penny pinch on these things if the service provided is good.  

(And chocolate baskets. :). )

I am not willing to pinch pennies at the expense of extraordinary service and piece of mind.MJ S.

Pinching the pennies is for us investors :)  Good luck with your search,-ChristopherP.S.

Rehabs are not unforeseen really, larger rehabs do need a cushion if you're tearing out walls, replacing cabinets and tops as little things happen.While I may sound conservative, I'd have to say I'm not really, with more knowledge comes the ability to accept more risk, if you really get in a pinch, you should have an exit strategy, like selling it!