I have noticed some banks do a good job of gradually lowering their prices until a property sells, others tend to let more of them sit x amount of time and finally take a lowball offer way below their asking price.I have a little cash, and have bought a couple of houses this way, though I live in one and sold the other on a land contract, so do not have any amazing return stories to share with a potential investor.Lately I have been thinking of trying to find someone to go in 50/50 on the purchase with me.My question is..what should I offer them?

I would recommend modeling a 5-year hold, using the T12 numbers for expenses and gradual rent increases to market rents, and find out what it would take to get there from the market.

Appraisals will go up, debt is gradually getting paid down so LTV will look better and better each time.  

I would gradually increase rents over a couple of years.

Gradually, I am trying to expand to west Cleveland and the middle burbs.  

My wife and I had gone to one of those 3-day hotel banquet room 'boot camps' where they pound you with information for a total of nearly 30 hours, gradually taking away tables and seat, increasing the psychological pressure until you either leave or buy-in. 

What I love about your post is your gradual build into different investing strategies.

I learned a lot from your responses.I agree about thinking of buy/hold properties as a way to develop savings, in that even if they are not putting out a lot of cashflow at first, you are gradually developing equity and hopefully getting appreciation.You are right that 6 months reserve is a decent amount, but I should probably have more.

Since I was young I have been gradually exposed to various elements of real estate, more so in the letting of property.

@David Erjavec Nailed the data.Here are some subjective thoughts from the tech people as I am there often and know of others moving in gradually :"I love dogpatch.""