I'll feel better about all this when those of us who have been making payments, regardless of the value of our house, and who are not underwater get a nice big fat check, too.Think about it.

I am picturing using my current single-family deal finding skills to list and sell a few high-value commercial properties per year and collect some fat commission checks.

They also buy notes pennies on the dollar too, kinda like what happened in the bailout.So the question to your answer is a BIG FAT yes, and they don't exactly advertise it. 

Fat chance.Is this an owner-occupied unit?

I agree with @mike Roberts .....less utilities the better.. also in City of Philadelphia unpaid gas bills from tenant will go against the property nice fat Lien...

We have had plumbing issues in the past from cooking oils/fats etc.

Now my life is "ruined" :) As of writing this post, my Real Estate investing experience is a big fat 0.

After all, I enjoy getting checks monthly - but it would nice to cash in a fat check once in while too.Question 2 - Networking is key to finding good deals - MLS can have some good deals periodically - but the best deals are going to come from a distressed situation that you find out about through word of mouth - and that means staying in front of your network and growing it so that you are exposed to new situations and opportunities.

Or incompetent.Or, as is often the case, relocated and someone living in the subject property but not paying the taxes (or rent) while fat, dumb and happy.Your most valuable skill will be skip tracing; finding people who have a record ownership interest. 

Both sides need to man up and take responsibility but unfortunately the banks with their now big fat bailout checks from our wonderful government feel that they don't need to take responsibility anymore now that big bro is backing them up.Nice wonderful system we have in place here!!!!!