My question is, do you submit offers on potential deals and make them contingent on financing and then go find the money after the offer is accepted...hoping you can do that quickly enough?

Affordability is at crisis level in many States, while it is still acceptable in others, mostly the Midwest markets.

I have had PMs put pets in no pet properties and accept a two kid family in a tiny one bedroom.

I don't see why the seller would accept such a large haircut only to have the asset sold a few months before.Am I missing something obvious?

For example, a properly executed deed from a now-deceased grantor and recorded a month after death might appear to title as acceptable risk.

HUD recently accepted my offer on a single-family house, and my bid price is 25% less than the market value, making it a great deal.

I may accept a lower return along the way if there's a bigger payoff in the end.

I would not have have the 2 wholesale deals completed with 3 more PA verbally accepted. 

Of course, you can't protect yourself completely, but this will also help you prepare for buying the next properties a little better, and it's an exercise I generally do when I'm on a showing for a property I'm serious about so that I'm factoring this into my analysis to some degree in a "capex" reserve.Capital ExpenseRoofWater Heater x2All AppliancesDriveway/Parking LotBoiler x2FlooringPlumbingWindowsPaintCabinets/CountersStructure (foundation, framing)Components (garage door, etc.)

The degree to which realtors think their skills dictate a sale price and/or time on market is breathtaking.