but I'd like to hear what other investors think or have done in the past. I

I've learned something new today: in the past I always thought Sec 8 calculated rent based purely on local market rents, but what you're saying is they consider the expenses. 

Haven't checked on Hubzu in some time, but in the past I have seen similar scenarios and the property was NOT REO even though the listing stated it was.

Everyone I know in the Phoenix market that is investing isn't making big bucks, how these guys got rich was selling to people and getting commissions and they all did this in a good economy, A few are doing ok but not raking in the bucks like the past. I

Any agent that uses "sold" comparable primarily when pricing property for sale, doesn't "get it".More important than what has happened in the past, is what is happening right now.

I know that in the past, I have got the fee waived, but they are sticking to it big time this time around.

Now in the past I used my own money for the 20% down but I want to keep my liquid money especially today.

In the past I assumed that it wasn't worth it to go after a debt after eviction because of the very slim chance I actually collect anything.I had not considered that there would be services that would only charge a % of the recovered amount.

Christian,As you said many complain and no one really stands up to do anything.You're not going to see a revolution or revolt in this country like we have seen in the past. I

Or they are like many agents in todays market-hurting and unable to afford to keep up the marketing they did in the past. I