For example, making contact with the owners-- I'm not afraid to knock on doors, but I also don't want to do so being inadequately prepared.

This typically gets most or all of my principle back.  

All documents going back to Notice of Trustee Sale and oral disclosure at auction state that buyers are only getting the beneficiary's security interest which existed at time of pledging collateral (my words, not statute). 

The mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, hopes that taxing vacant lots by value will help deal with urban blight in the Bronx and elsewhere. [2]BenefitsThe reasons commonly cited by proponents of governments deriving most or all of their taxes from land include:1.

Are you saying you pay only common area electric heat or all electric heat. 

The other options could be seller financing or all the non traditional stuff.Housing crash stuff is anyones guess.

I read that lenders will sometimes provide exceptions to those with inadequate credit, but my income is so low I don't see that happening.

So many people on BP sugar coat things to make them sound easy (especially if they are selling something or promoting something), and so many people talk a lot about their wins but you rarely hear of their losses (or all the work that went into the wins).  

So instead of negotiating a better price (that would include a credit for some or all of the work that needs doing), you just want to pay full asking price, and borrow more to pay for the work? 

You will be out there talking to people building relationships you could even go to realtors and offer your services and offer to delay part or all of your payment until the house is sold.