@Brodyn BeauchatWhat I would first ask you then is are you the handy type, the type that is willing to get down and dirty and turn a coal into a diamond?

Again, there are many resources here on BP you should check out.You might also consider attending a local real estate investor group such as Black Diamond REI in southern MA or RIREIG in Rhode Island, and talking to other wholesalers in your area, maybe meeting up with some for coffee, etc.Good luck and keep us posted on your progress of course!

The fact that the house has sat for over a year and a half doesn't bode well, but it could be that diamond in the rough we all hear about. 

My husband wants to be super extreme and wait until we find the diamond deal.

To afford our own personal rentals acquisitions we are also starting to provide turnkey rentals because we have such a strong background in dump to diamond home renovations.

I ask these questions because I am thinking, instead of competing with these investors, you can find a diamond in the rough (Good plumbing, Good Electrics, Decent HVAC, just needs cosmetics) that most others are not looking for, scoop it up and fix it to your liking.

My long term goal is to be able to work fewer hours and retire from my job in 20 years.I don't have a real estate investing background per se, but I did sniff out a diamond in the rough at a great time for our first primary residence and we're slowly fixing it up as we go!

It sounds as though you hit an empty goldmine and found diamonds instead, as you turned what most would never touch into a great asset.

Used them for many years - tell him Cindy sent you - (ask for their 'Diamond Pricing') - 

https://www.meetup.com/Black-Diamond-Real-Estate-I...Their is one in Chelmsford, I believe 1st wednesday of every month at the Radison hotel.