Buying from the builder, they covered closing, waved the $2500 "lot premium" for my rear brick wall, added a few features with negotiations, etc and I had quite a bit of control over finishes, colors, etc...all things I had to select along the way, far before completion.

Indeed, that would be awesome.I'm afraid that feels like a pipe dream to me.For instance, say I want to buy it, how do I find 250k, without losing my rear end on some kind of weird loan deal

Read my response youngster. 

A couple ideas (but you would need a trained adviser to tell you if you could really do this, I am kind of talking out my rear).  

I also believe that the fundamentals for successfully investing in RE are relatively simple.However, simple does not mean easy.

I should have that opened up soon to see the real extent of the damage.The picture is the view from the rear of the property looking towards the house.Its going to be a pretty intense rehab project.

It is not if Murphy will rear its ugly head, it is when!!

Quick back story.2007 was doing well in life until a pick up rear ended me at a light.

@Cleotha Euwins he was already open, yet one thing you could do is search for properties that have had many price reductions, multiple on and off listings, long time lapses on the MLS and send out mailers to owners/realtors .. time lapses are sure to soften even the hardest stance a little bit .. even if they say no .. you can stay in rear view sight, keeping an offer open

Chasing the market is like driving forward while looking in the rear-view mirror.