Not only is it very difficult but also leads to poor real estate investment decisions/ rejecting opportunities that require patience while attempting to achieve the W2 replacement as quickly as possible.

They fight Federal attempts to remove old wood by suing.

Should I attempt Sub-2 or contact the bank and try and work out agreement before foreclosure?

In my first attempted reply, I posted only your quote by accident, lol. 

I appreciate almost any feedback where the poster makes a sincere attempt to share their opinion, regardless of what it might be.

Quote from @Christine Gordon: Quote from @Roi Azoulay: This firm is known to advertise fake distressed properties all over NY and reach out the the actual owner w/attempt to get listing agreement, Unfortunately they are still active and keep doing this for many years and no other website/mls does anything about it. 

You have two options: attempt to gather these resources or collaborate with an existing team.

This is even more so if you attempt to do a major renovation from far away.

HCD would likely squash any jurisdiction’s attempt to remove or limit a safe unit.It is a good investment to get the unit permitted especially if it is close to the quoted price. 

Which is to say any attempts beyond the method of communication in the profile are likely to end up convincing the landlord you and your friend would be a pain in the butt as tenants.