Now he uses property managers and I would bet dollars to donuts those professionals aren't offering cash for keys.I have 15 years experience managing 400 rentals and I have never offered cash for keys.

Bet, they will say: “I want to keep my house”.Do you all understand you are targeting the wrong people?

Your best bet might be joining a local real estate club.  

As low as the market went for mortgages and housing shortage, the only sure bet in my opinion is housing prices will continue to rise. 

Your best bet is to ensure that there are no material modifications that would in any way harm or even moderately delay the ability to rent it out and qualify as a normal SFR (one lease, one family) or sell on the market to an owner-occupant

Best bet is talk to wholesalers and have a real good agent that can dig properties out, and be prepared to buy on spot in good locations and anything else be a tough cookie.

Best bet is to go talk with some local banks and commercial lenders bc most likely that's not gonna fly on any kind of conventional loan.

I bet passive investors had been working with coaches to underwrite the deals they've been investing in the past two years.

I'll bet it is a leaky toilet flapper valve or something. 

I bet you do very well with it..