I don't like to chew on the fat or beat around the bush, so ...Do you think it is wrong when; There is a house for sale listed with a agent/(broker etc..) and you go up knock on that individuals' door, and one way or another tell them ( and this can be in any number of ways, such as - Dont bother listing it with them/ Take it off the listing/ Save your 3-6% with me etc) and pretty much under cut the agent/broker and deal directly with the owner?

If this deal doesn't work out, I have a few more on the back burner. 

I also put a gate with heavy chain and big, fat padlock.

Depending on floor vs flange height, you may need a fat wax ring, or even two.

I purchase whatever brand they have with the sealed burners and without all the buttons and do-dads for about $500.

Sometimes a potential renter will want to test a gas range to make sure all the burners come on.I used to be hesitant about leaving the water on because one house I was interested in purchasing had this on and two days before closing I stopped by only to learn the bathroom was flooded because the water connection to the toilet had loosened. 

I do know that stove burner coming on by itself could prove to be very hazardous.

I asked what had been done to try to collect the rent and the answer was 'big, fat nothing'.

I know I can plan for a roof or an oil burner and such items within a fairly predictable time range, but I am putting away “X” amount of dollars for those things each month already.

At the end of the month we dig into the responses to figure out both marketing and sales ROI so they can turn the dials and trim the fat.