At some point did you feel like the deal want going to go through and what was your motivation to keep pushing when you were faced with so many road blocks like the roof needing to be updated?

I know that doesn't mean much other than the fact he is motivated and the decision is up to the bank now.Thank you!

To me, you are concerned with keeping this guy motivated.  

@Aaron Klatt We need an agent to find a motivated seller.  

Thus my initial motivation for getting involved in Real Estate Investing). 

Ive been taught that if you can find the motivated sellers willing to do a terms deal and the tenant buyer who could qualify that you could do it anywhere. 

You're only going to be able to go after good condition houses... which probably does not equal a motivated seller.

Can you motivate them by suggesting to go through a short sale before they default on the property?

I’m very motivated to learn and would love advice/tips/tricks from other newbies like me who are maybe a little further along, and from veteran investors who have been in the game for a long time!

The last few years I've been seeing great results with simply index investing (which I'm still continuing in multiple IRA accounts) so I guess part of the motivation for real estate was to diversify a little bit  (in addition to the REIT holding I have).