Understanding the underlying fundamentals of this region, I entered the market with laser like intention.

Once you become laser focused on your goal you will overcome any adversity that the world can offer.

If I had any advice to a new investor is to keep laser focus on your goal and to not eliminate a certain type of investment that may differ from your original plan.

If he tells his banker he is selling with the intent to move in the bank makes the decision as to yes or no on the loan.Making the statement "I could stay for a month and then decide to move."

@Travis Varady Be prepared to battle for properties and be laser-focused on your criteria.

I did start out with an FHA however I have been toying with refinancing as it the market has done fairly well here and the home value has increased enough to drop the MIP off as the value to loan has reached the 80% mark.

And quite frankly as someone with children and hopefully grand children and causes I want to support with a legacy after I'm gone -  these are strategies I encourage in my own behavior and other as opposed to a philosophy of "who dies with the most toys wins". 

If I'm understanding your question, I will sometime advise my clients to include statement indicating they will beat any offer by X amount up to Y amount, requiring some form of disclosure about said offer.

They were toying with the idea of cutting the basement floor, replacing that portion, then near the foundation, pushing another pipe through the cracked pipe out the foundation and to the sidewalk. 

I've toyed with investing in the area b/c I'm familiar with the neighborhoods and head up there so often.