I continued for several years, shaving some years off my morgan terms and adding updates and improvements to the property.

Make sure you choose a PM that does it full time and specializes in it and not on the side to shave a few percent off what you pay.

They of course have a different opinion. not sure in SC as I don't hold rentals there.. but I have been buying courthouse steps and tax sales going on 40 years now.. and hold over tenants in all of my deals and they number in the 100's have always been subject to eviction laws not trespassing.. and crap out here in liberal land west coast many times even full blown squatters the cops will tell U you have to evict.during the GFC in CA untold thousands of people moved into vacant homes and squatted for years.. they knew they could get cash for keys..

Also, since the 90's have you done any improvements to the house? 

Will shave 6.5 years off my loan and the mortgage will increase about $75.

He also told me that instead of the 2.5k it would be shaved off about 300 because of something or another.

I would go with a cream/beige invitation envelope, stamp choice isn't too important however.

The real issue is if your principal can pass marketable title.I'm not sure where the other poster is getting his information, however it is quite possible to close during probate if your principal(s) have sufficient capacity, powers and authority.

As opposed to a blue room where some buyers may not have a boy or like blue, the tans, creams, and other earthtone colors are welcomed by almost all.One other thing I see some rehab flippers do wrong is do crappy work on certain items.

That credit will be capped by the lender, but it will shave off some of the cash you need at closing.