I took a personal check for their first month's rent, because they moved in on Christmas Eve.

Hello Everyone,My name is Eve and I've just joined bigger pockets.

@Eve W.An offer that is appealing to one seller is an extremely individual situation based on their circumstances and desires.There isn't a universal structure that will have overall appeal.The key is to keep making offers crafted from what the seller gives you in your conversations that ultimately make sense for you as an investor.

Stick em up Fri pm, up Sun eve, you're good to go!

Now I was not in the room with you and the seller in the conversation here.You may want to look here for docs.http://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/REISkillsthe way I do it is:Lease and separate option and a letter of intent.have the seller go down to my lawyers office and sign the docs.now I have equitable interest to market for the tenant buyer.Get on postlets.com and show pics or a video on you tube of the walk through.Put a HUGE sign on the yard and Rent to Own bandit signs.Have an open house on Thurs eve 4 7 pm, everyone fills out an application and an app fee non refundable to pull credit and a refundable deposit, about $1000.If they get approved they have 48 hours to get the balance of 1st, last and balance of option fee.Money goes through lawyers account and they do a 1003 mortg app with a mortgage broker, hopefully a RMLO.When all the funds are collected, the lawyer create a new lease and a new option contract for the seller and the buyer to sign, and both the seller and buyer sign my option release document.

But I did not like even the few times I got calls from the tenant because of the frozen pipe - incidentally which was on xmas eve, or the couple of other issues we had.

Also, I manage an AirB&B unit (having a meetup there this Thurs eve!).

I just looked at the property today and will be working on the numbers this eve to determine an offer.

Just realizing today is Christmas eve :D Pretty bad timing for grabbing lunch ;-)@J Are you in Rochester?

Eve, you will need to file a Certificate of Reinstatement.