I've been scrambling to find something to help figure out an ARV on the properties I find and they never have solid comps.

Its my experience that a good percentage of short sales don't go through because the buyer walks after finding another opportunity leaving the short seller scrambling.

Due to illness my partner had to back out the deal and now I'm scrambling to try and figure out how to finance the rehab.

anything less isnt a deal or you will be scrambling.  

I don't want to end up scrambling to find a loan/lender to approve me and end up losing the property to someone else who has that lined up already. 2.

All offers amounts were visible except the bidders ID's were scrambled.

But the truth is I budget conservatively and would rather have excess reserves than be scrambling to come with cash when expenses come up.  

Maybe that's the better play though, to scramble and find a lender for the cheaper property....

You keep believing you're "approved" with your bank, right up until a week before closing when they turn you down cold and you then have to scramble to locate a Mortgage Broker to step in and save the day!

And I am not scrambling at any moment.