I have done it successfully on my last 2 buildouts, maybe 3, but only because I was able to acquire the properties at a very low price and I did all the work in-house (myself and some hired hands on staff).

I also agree that everyone needs to know how to manage risk, but you can't manage risk on your first deal if you only have cheerleaders and no impartial third party.I edited it as it posted too quick.

I flew out and met their owner Ron, sales guy Eric, and some more of their office staff.

When I spoke to their staff, they laughed with me over the absurdity of this charge and sent me up the chain to have it waived with the supervisor Leanord Gurney.He said a contract is a contract. 

Speak with someone you know in leadership or on staff and express your interest casually.Frame It as a Solution: Highlight how purchasing the property could be mutually beneficial.

PMC staff are good at maintenance and maybe repairs, but they are NOT licensed contractors with years of real-world experience.

At our wealth management firm we have CPA's on staff, we provide overall wealth management services for high net-worth clients.

Feel free to inquire about their staff qualifications if it's a larger organization.2.

My first thought is how do you staff? 

Quote from @JD Martin: Quote from @Benjamin Weinhart: Speaking to your item #6, I was actually told by the staff here over the phone maybe 5-6 months ago that DMing someone is fine so long as it's not a copy/paste ad and is specific to the individual.