I've painted more walls, ceilings and trim work than I could ever count in my lifetime and *I* suck compared to professional painters, and most of my paint jobs could pass for lower-end professional jobs. 

Negotiating is a skill that needs to be practiced and consistently role played to get right.

Readers should seek professional advice. 

When I spoke with a real estate professional, she said the home would probably sell for around $250k in its current condition.

You can be sure they will continue to negotiate for, strategize and advise themselves.If the laws are similar where you are, you should consider if you want someone doing those things for you, and whether you are comfortable going toe-to-toe alone with a licensed professional on a $1.25 million purchase.

Have you already started connecting with any local professionals, or are you still searching?

Game changer for active investor looking to get more passive investments, busy professional looking to diversify in real estate, individual investor looking to get into commercial or larger assets. 

As for repairs on the purchase of a home prior to auction there are some professionals utilized by the professionals for costs to repair the home in best and worst case scenarios.

Licensed in both Hawaii and Vermont at the moment, navigating acquisitions and depositions by collaborating the directions of my client with grounded professional understanding. 

But, this being a larger syndicator they do have professionally made presentations and due diligence documents for you to look through.