Hi All,Im looking to build/strengthen my real estate team.

I believe the best option incorporates all three approaches, in the following sequence:Connect with knowledgeable local investors to quickly get a sense for the many sub-marketsBuild a core team of capable professionals (PM, inspectors, contractors) who are goal-aligned with you and also have no conflicts of interest among themselvesDo a single small deal to establish a work process for the team and get a minor win.Make strategic visits, not to inspect rehab work but rather to strengthen your relationships with your core team.Do more and larger deals, adjusting the team as necessary.This is exactly the approach I'm in Lubbock, Texas today and would love to compare notes with you.

I'm sure your understanding is appreciated by him and will strengthen the work relationship.

The contract stipulates 15 days for inspection and due diligence if you leave it blank, however shortening the period under 10 days strengthens your position if you have the team of inspectors in place with your Realtor to knock it out efficiently.

If I were you, I would focus on strengthening your position and credibility by creating a portfolio that demonstrates the following:Show that you are credit-worthy.

When you don't have the ability to put a strong deal on the table by way of terms, you have to strengthen your offer with price.

Do any of you have any suggestions other than what I've laid out on how I might strengthen my offer? 

There are borrowers for that money lots of it and there is a migration between states strengthening the seller's market and the buying markets in states that prior to this were weak.

Bernie Sanders wants a 25% “house flipping” tax levied against investors who sell a property at a profit within five years of purchase.He also wants a 2 percent “empty homes tax” on the property value of vacant homes in order to discourage real estate investment.From Bernie's Website"When Bernie is president, he will:Create an office within the Department of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate and work with states and municipalities to strengthen rent control and tenant protections, implement fair and inclusive zoning ordinances, streamline review processes and direct funding where these changes are made.This office will convene key leaders, academics, experts, local officials, renters, tenants, and homeowners to create and implement these necessary solutions.Preempt laws that prevent inclusionary zoning for luxury developments.End exclusionary and restrictive zoning ordinances and replace them with zoning that encourages racial, economic, and disability integration that makes housing more affordable.Require that recipients of federal funding from the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development make these important zoning reforms.Provide funding to states that preempt local exclusionary zoning ordinances to make housing more equitable, accessible and affordable for all.Make federal funding contingent on creating livable communities.Encourage zoning and development that promotes integration and access to public transportation to reduce commuting time, congestion and long car commutes.Prioritize projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create walkable and livable communities, and reduce urban sprawl.Encourage zoning and development designed to expand and maximize the number of units fully accessible to people with disabilities.Place a 25 percent House Flipping tax on speculators who sell a non-owner-occupied property, if sold for more than it was purchased within 5 years of purchase.Impose a 2 percent Empty Homes tax on the property value of vacant, owned homes to bring more units into the market and curb the use of housing as speculative investment.Encourage “circuit breakers” on property taxes to protect homeowners in gentrifying neighborhoods from being priced out of their own homes as their property values rise.READ MORE: https://berniesanders.com/issues/housing-all/From my point of view, anything that impedes or obstructs REI's cash flow is a bad thing.

Additionally, review your lease and see if it gives order of payments received i.e. '...payments received will be applied to admin. fees, then to returned check charges, then to other amounts (excluding rent), then to rent' - this will further strengthen your position for the 'Notice to Quit for Non-Payment of Rent', regardless however this is the way to go.