Like everything else it is staying on top of the listing and being persistent. thanks Don

I'm also fully insured, fully and professionally operational, and I currently have 4 new residential properties under construction thanks to my persistence in procuring a million dollar investment from a funding partner.Moral of the story : when you start from little of nothing you have to dig deep to find answers and/or avenues for overcoming whatever situation you find yourself in. 

As long as this persists in some form or another less people will want to do it thus increasing returns. 4) RE is hard - Real estate investing is hard.

It is how engaged, persistent, and hungry you are that matters.

But even if the market were easier than it is right now, being successful always takes maximum effort, discipline, and persistence, especially in real estate.

Plus persistence.  

My biggest achievement thus far is being able to pull a property out of condemned status (very long process but persistence pays!).  

Persistence is everything. 

Too bad it hasn't persisted.    

Your persistence made the difference but it appears that it could have easily gone a different route if the owner/heir decided once and for all to go dark and not cooperate with you.Was your plan B to foreclose?