The philosophy "if they accept your first offer you paid too much" makes a lot of sense as long as you're not unreasonable and you nail one now and then.So if all other pieces of the puzzle (area, condition, rents, etc.) are okay, is it reasonable to start at 70% or 75%?

And the big piece of the puzzle that is outside my core competency is the actual rehab work, which is why I hire out the sub-contractors.

I was truly puzzled by that; why would those old timers varnish around a rug?

My point is that you always start with the end in mind and work it backwards, this creates the strategy (Buy and hold, flip, Wholesale, Notes) which will be driven by the tactic (SFR, MFR, Mobile homes, Short term rental etc)  I always coach people and explain that the property is actually the last piece of the puzzle not the first.

What would they gain by "partnering" with you if they already have all the pieces of the puzzle? 

That's the most important piece of the puzzle.  

Most lenders, investors, realtors, all want to have good relationships with wholesalers since you're responsible for one of the hardest pieces of the puzzle: finding the deals! 

I feel like i am missing this piece of the puzzle and that is stopping me from being confident in moving forward with attempting a creative finance deal.Any help is greatly appreciated!

And no one knows enough to put all the puzzle together. 

I must have looked puzzled and he continued "if it is for a loan people want a high number or if you are getting divorced you may want a low number".