We had to show our house to potential buyers, with no middle man, no help in negotiating.It took 18 months because we are on a Humanitarian Reassignment: my husband's mother was  diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and we PCSd to take care of her in her last months. 

Persistence is key across any strategy that you use.For example:  I've been told "no" by 8 banks, had 2 break in's at the same property, experienced a bank cut me off because they were bought out, and their new rules said they couldn't loan to out of state investors, had my "worth his weight in gold" property manager get cancer, recover, and move to a property management company that doesn't work with small investors like myself, ran close to out of money a few times, been jerked around by US Bank a few times, had to pay $2,000 for a CPA to do my taxes last year, etc, etc.Any one of these events could have easily discouraged me towards getting out of the rental business.  

A car accident, cancer or heart attack make a life time of hoarding cash in a property a total waste.The kicker is no one wants to believe it will happen to them.Life is often too short to work for nothing except retirement.

I think saying I want to make $X/month and that's it won't work.I want to cure cancer in 10 months.   

I've been studying real estate investment for the past six or so years while I killed my cancer but still consider myself with immense room for growth.

Tenant of 2 months on a 1 yr lease is on disability (911 first responder with Cancer) and a US Veteran. 

Some areas near Niagara and Buffalo have very poor soil which means there are going to be foundation problems and I would not be surprised if the people come down with cancer because it was used by the military for disposing hazardous material a long time ago. 

so it begins....i could foresee the future with this one right from the moment i stepped off the truck to see the house for the first time 2 months ago.the "tenants" have been dropping hints of "cancer, surgery, toddler issues, paychecks, etc" and finally didn't pay rent for the month of July.

Hey this is Tommy Coan, I was set on learning all I could about Real Estate investing mainly house flipping, but it wasn't long after I became a member I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and was told right off it would be a 9 to 12 month process, well it's getting closer to the end of my battle with cancer( for the good that is).

I am looking a buying the note on my grandmothers home. she has cancer,and has moved out. she is fully willing to sign any paperwork for me to get the home. she still owes much more then the home is worth. she also has been paying the payment for 13yrs.