I am seriously looking into making the plunge into the REI field, primarily flips in the beginning and then onto rental units, but I am currently strapped for liquifed assets.

I know from your other posts you're strapped for cash.

Its generating about $500 cashflow after mortgage, mat, and vacancy.

That being said affordable housing is a big need, older mobiles in Florida need the hurricane straps updated. 

It's just that depending on the price point of the homes, tons of people still use agents.. but if they heard two agents talking through a deal behind the scenes they would realize it's a contrived battle.. to act like each agent is going to the mat for their clients.. they both want to get the most out of the deal as they can, the higher the close price, the more they split! 

You may be able to boot strap and source used furniture from craigslist, facebook, etc, but its still going to cost you a few grand at a minimum to get everything you need. and more like $5 or $6K to do it right with new furniture.

But if you're strapped for time, here's the basic premise (apologies to Steven if I'm rehashing this inaccurately, but it was my interpretation): acquire public property ownership data, set acquisition criteria, identify potential owners most likely to sell undervalued properties (out-of-state, owe back taxes, etc.), and mail offer letters to those that fit all of the above criteria.Now I have the property ownership data, but I'm having a hard time using the data to fulfill the remaining steps. 

The homes in NYC are lots of money and leverage you to the almighty - especially if you are strapped for cash.Good questions from all tho.

For your current situation I would offer a small refund to go use the laundry mat and ask for a list of repairs that you can address when she vacates.I just love dead beat, laid off, know it all boyfriends....

And if homeowner A is strapped for cash, and I buy his house with a quick close and put cash in his hand, I hope I've helped him make the best of a bad situation.What I wont do, after a disaster or not, is be one of these damn "wholesalers" - and I know there are plenty of them on this site - who go around making big promises with no cash to back it up, then terminate a contract when they can't find a buyer.