Note that they were sub-1% during the COVID era, which is what allowed many delusional syndicators and funds to raise money for properties that were doomed to underperform.So ask yourself this as if you are in their shoes: you could invest in T-bills to get a guaranteed 4% return, then what is the premium I would require to invest in this person and their commensurate deal?

Instead, I decided to take 15 minutes assuming I was in your shoes and looking for someone to manage a project in that location. 

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

We have however learnt a lot over the past one year through bigger pockets and our own experience with this bubble gum on our shoes.

However, these situations can be complicated, and it's to your benefit to have a realtor on your side (if you don't already) to help you negotiate and stay within the law.Your post was pretty general, which I appreciate, but I don't know if I handled all of the concerns someone in your shoes would have.

In your shoes, you know what things cannot be changed in your life (the fact that you have debt, rent, any family situations that affect your availability). 

So if I were in your shoes I would want to be really confident in the exit strategy. 1) confirm rent estimates 2) confirm ARV and the demand in that area to buy a house like that in the price range 3) are there banks willing to refinance at the LTV you want with the seasoning period you have. 40k for a house of that size that needs that work would be the cost of materials alone where we live in WI, so verify your estimates.

☺️)...you might talk with the realtor and it goes on the MLS and it sells to someone else....or it might sit on the MLS for a while and you eventually get it.My point is, as a realtor and investor myself, put yourself in the other person's shoes...they don't want to feel "pushed" or like someone is trying to take advantage of them. 

Now I guess the OP could make the argument he stepped into the shoes of the 2nd DOT holder but I'm not sure that works when you obtain title via a Trustee's Deed since there are no warranties. 

I was in your shoes back in 2011 and this forum actually gave me a push to make my first investment purchase.