My partner and I have completed numerous successful short sale transactions. (2 dozen plus) I feel we have good understanding of what works and what doesn't (although that is constantly changing.)

We have made numerous offers that have been rejected with no counter.

That's a variant of the 1% rule I've heard numerous places.

If you want to make a deal before the sale, you need to get in touch with the owner.Note that you will be one of dozens or hundreds of investors that make contact with such an owner.There are numerous books available on how this process works.

Take full advatange of the social networking tools we've create like how & why to invite new people and add colleagues and request and give references.

I have put in numerous offers and am continuing to look at them simultaneously.

Good points Josh...I have had other investors "Steal" my deals on numerous occasions...

I have just getting numerous calls based on "I Buy Houses" type advertising I've recently placed.

I it is owner or non owner do come into play on these questions… To answer these questions 100% accurately, there are numerous questions that come into play… This is advanced foreclosure law class stuff and these are fairly complex foreclosure law questions.

I've looked at numerous properties, including two last weekend with tenants in them.If you want specifics for the local situation, google for landlord/tenant laws, or tenant advocates, or similar terms, along with the town or state.But, I seriously doubt you can prevent showings or other access to the property.Note that you're not under any obligatation to clean the place spic-and-span like an owner who's trying to sell their house would.