At the end it paid off.Here are some of the highlights:- I placed more than 30 offers and I was under contract 3 times before securing the duplex I wanted.- Property was on the market for a while and it was overpriced.

Here are the highlights of what I do in these situations as an agent:-Call the listing agent and spend 5 minutes going on about how great the house is, how much my client loves it and how they can't wait to move in...then I say "there's just this one hiccup- it didn't make appraisal, so the lender can't fund the purchase price.

They have detailed information by area about  average booking price by listing size; occupancy, market demand and they even highlight the most successful listings in each neighborhood.

When you highlight what is great and have people seeing the possibilities they might have missed, but also know going in that not everything is perfect it will be a win. 

Here are two scenarios to make my point, assuming I have $100k (easy number, over simplified to make my point) to invest:Scenario 1:  I could buy 1 $100k property in cash that rents for $1000/mo - cash flow is ~$500 (~50% rule)Lets assume that property appreciates (long term average) of 3% yoy - total ROI is $500x12=$6000+$3000 appreciation = 9% total ROINow,Scenario 2:  I could buy identical properties with 20% down using the same $100k, but now I have ~$400 mortgage, cash flow is now $100 per property.Assuming the same long term appreciation of 3% yoy - total ROI is now $100x5x12 = $6000+$3000x5 = $21000 or 21% total ROIWhile the example is grossly oversimplified, it highlights the value of leverage because you have more appreciating assets that are growing year over year. 

I'd rather think of it as buying and renting to yourself - someone who will be teh ultimate tenant.elets go thorugh another scenario:2 side by side houses. 600k, 6000 rent, 150k down/ 450 loan = 2130 / mo, tax 5k, insurance 2k --> and you stil need somwhere to live1) buy and rent it - pay rent to live in the same house next door [using made up and very simplistic numbers to make a point)72k gross income - 25560 mortgage - 5k tax - 2k insurance - 5k repair/capex/vacency = 46400 MINUS 72000 to rent a place to live = -375602) buy and live in it-25560 mortgage - 5k tax -2k insurance - 1k repair/capex/vac = -33572 [note the repair/vacency should be lower for owner occupied]Again, this is very over simplistic, I'm just trying to highlight a point here.

All of these factors can increase your rates if they are highlighted in the listing.Drop us a line and we'll be happy to brainstorm some communities that may be a good fit!

I highlight key points of the ancillary, informational documents, such as Lead Based Paint, Mold, and Fair Housing; but then I spend more time and detail with the actual Rental Agreement, confirming terms, late fees, due dates, payment options, and "Tenant Responsibilities" which go far beyond merely paying rent on time.

This, coupled with record-low unemployment near 2 percent, highlights the huge need for additional in-migration to fill the jobs.

@Anthony DiRicoI try to read at least 2 books a month about a year ago I started to write these 5 to 7 page documents about the books in case I ever wanted to go back and read the highlights.