I realized I needed to sweeten the pot.

Will this approach sweeten my offer or would I just be wasting my time?

If it has heaps of equity then that might sweeten things somewhat.

On the other hand you are really looking for at least a 5 year note at 4% interest, and to sweeten the pot you'll buy it at $165,000 for those terms.

Sometimes, you just need to sweeten the deal a little bit, and adds a bit pressure.

And, of course, there is always the chance the seller would be willing to decrease the cost of the property and  take another note on the remainder if you were willing to sweeten the pot somehow.

to sweeten the deal.

If I was a tired landlord, maybe if you offered me a rent-to-own situation with some sweetener.  

Credit is a very big factor in getting loans, and this is sticking point for a lot of new investors.6 - While taking out contingencies may sweeten your offer, it can be dangerous, but there are ways around this that are common.  

You can sweeten the note by a note purchase agreement in the event of default, you buy the note back and then you deal with the default, it was your property, so you know the collateral.