It is located less than one block from an elementary school.

I would try texting the listing agent - she's had this property listed on and off since 2008 and has been dealing with the short sale (what a pain for an agent) - she's probably sick of it, not making any money on it and has probably been fielding a million calls from completely unqualified first time buyers who want that area but don't really pay attention to the details and don't have any cash - I would be clear in your communication with her that you understand the requirements and have the cash to close - I've had transactions with her in the past she's been around for a long time.  

We have a software program at work that tracks this, and I can tell you it is HIGHLY localized (as in down to the block), even within a given MSA (market).  

The city is very block by block.

I am hoping that the govmit steps in and blocks those from those folks that are owner occ and got flooded and default.. investors not so much.

Create a savings goal, enact painful budget cuts, and if you still cant hit the number you need 8 years after these calculations, then maybe real estate is worth the calculated risk.

DGI is 100% passive, Turnkey Investing is a pain in the ***.

@Aaron PetersonI moved your thread to the landlords forum.Snow removal ... it will be here before you know it ... .I've already put our RFQ as we were not happy with our service in one city last winter.In our experience, when it comes to landscaping/lawncare and snow removal, anytime you cannot define where one tenant's domain ends and another begins, the obligation falls to the landlord.If you have a side-by-side duplex or a row of townhouses where each tenant has their own drive and patch of green, you can hand-off snow removal and lawn care to the tenant ... though you are just as often better served to take care of it yourself and bake it into the rent.Anytime you have stacked units or a block (such as a small purposely built quadruplex), the parking and green space are common areas (just like stairwells in the interior) and fall to the landlord.

We had a 2 bed duplex within 4 blocks of the Plaza District under contract to house hack also with our two kids, but days before closing the deal fell through.

I just moved to NY from Meriden, and my wife is front southington (we actually lived in Southington for a month before NY).Buyers can be a pain with what they ask for, and if you are already taking a hit, taking a bigger hit can be tough.