I know some investors sell leads to agents on a per lead basis, but I think maybe approaching it like a partnership would be better, and if I were an agent I sure would appreciate someone doing the heavy lifting for me.Since I would be doing the initial legwork and pre-qualifying the sellers, I don't think it would unreasonable to also get comps and MLS data out of the deal also.AFAIK, that wouldn't be a violation for the agent and it would ultimately mean more deals for everyone.thoughts?

On the flipside - does it sound unreasonable that I take the deal and eventually pay the proposed special assessment?

@Brian Pulaski @Jacob Bindler I first started using a flat fee MLS service and did get several showings, but I had it listed at an unreasonable price.

Ill agree with everyone that it is on the high side but not unreasonable.

Do you think that is unreasonable?

I agree, $20/sf sounds extremely low and I doubt JScott's Book on Estimating Rehab Costs lists a cost range of $20/sf for a gut rehab, so that has to be a mistake.The contractor's price of $68/sf doesn't sound unreasonable, however it's really impossible to know without getting more information on the specific SOW and plans for the property.The cost of your rehab can vary substantially depending on the specific SOW, location of the property, quality of the renovation, materials used, etcIt sounds like your contractor walked the property with you and should have a better understanding of the SOW than anyone on this forum, so is there a reason you are doubting your contractor?  

There were half a dozen regular investors there, which proceeded to bid up two or three properties to levels that were unreasonable, and they proceeded to joke around about bidding each other up after the auction.

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect something like a water-proofing job to come with some sort of a guarantee.

If they waited an unreasonable time before initiating those steps, or were otherwise negligent, they MAY be liable to some extent.

I guess you learn something unreasonable every day.