After having talked with an extremely smart, aggressive (maybe more assertive) but "definitely on top of things" real estate agent yesterday who emailed me all the different marketing materials she uses (I was really  impressed!)

Nothing was signed and there are no legal remedies involved this early in the process, so no harm done should things not work out.It's not fool-proof but it's less risky than most other aspects of REI  There is the rub...YOU may one that isn't hurt but, putting a homeowner through the emotional ringer with your assertions that you are going to save them from foreclosure, put money in their pocket, and increase their credit (Your quotes, not mine) as a selling point, only to back out if your interests wane somewhere in the process, will cause harm.I'm guessing the property must not be in New York or other areas of the state that require you to be a licensed foreclosure avoidance consultant or that, you have a written contract before any consulting services can be rendered (You did say you have nothing in writing if I read correctly).

Yes I'm fishing a little, but hey I like to fish.All yellow letters say a simple message "if you know anyone interested in selling, please call me at" It was a technique I heard on the second podcast about not being too assertive in your direct mail message.

This implies the $200/month cash flow in unlikely to ever be worth more than the $200.I recommend all investors start local but you seem to be adverse to that so I will go with another one of my common assertions: The only Midwest investing that makes sense for most Coastal So Cal/San Fran RE investors is true MF (5+ units).  

If what you must do is not what you can do, you have an issue.Your entire problem is a lack of assertiveness.

Strawman, attribution, proof by assertion, Red Herring, and cherry picking. 

A contract binds you to meet it's obligations it does not bind you  to assert it's rights.Forgoing of a contractual right is a time honoured widespread business practice.

I'd love to hear any more suggestions, particularly on resources for maybe learning to deal with conflict and for being assertive (which I usually have no issue being, nor do I have leadership problems, I've been in management for years!!)

I've been assertive but polite with them but they just don't don't want to work with me. 

Of course, regardless of which answer you give (unless you disagree with both your statements), it contradicts your assertion that the 50% rule is a good one for *all* investors...Btw, Mike, I'm not trying to be attacking...I actually really like your style of investing and your perspective on a lot of topics (I've learned a lot by reading your posts)...I just think you're taking a bit too dogmatic approach on this topic, and am actually enjoying the debate