For the most part we run credit and ask for taxes to verify identity.

The rules for securing information and the disclosure of the reports is getting increased pressure because of all the identity fraud publicity (and reality).

Also remember any recent comps of an identical unit is listed at 1200 square feet to boost the price/sq. ft.

This is actually great, however...2 - Flipping gets you $53k in hand..right now.3 - Looking at #1 and #2 together, it will take you over 7 years to accumulate $53k...if you have no problems holding over those 7+ years.4 - Doing as I suggested, gets you this very same deal...plus another identical one. 

In Baltimore thieve circle a rehab property like vultures waiting to steal things.

- Market is very high priced such that getting a 1% rule off MLS is extremely rare- MLS listed, move-in ready, C+/B- property in a C+/B- neighborhood- Property is a full duplex leased at $850 and $650 per month- Leases are month-to-month so rent could be raised or tenants replaced with relative ease- Rent-o-Meter shows the median rent to be $1300/unit and average to be about $1100/unit- Driving thru neighborhood a neighbor said he pays $1000/mo for similar/identical and is a multi-year tenant- Assuming $1000/mo/unit yields ~$125/unit cash flow and ~23% COC Return (10% reserve each for Vac., Mgt, Rep & CapEx)This all sounds too good to be true but here's the kicker: Rent-O-Meter shows the average rent trending significantly downward from about $1450 to $1100 over the last 24 months.So, my question is do I pursue what looks like about as good a deal as exists in my market (at least with on-market properties) or do I take the falling rent as a significant red flag?

no honor among thieves...

I was interested by it and that led to me scouting out properties/short sales for my family and convincing them to buy.That identification of opportunity secured my parents retirement, and then some, as we (due to dumb luck) bought multiple properties in the HQ2 Crystal City area between in 2010-2017.Fast forward to my RE investment growth, the property I closed on yesterday was at 80% of appraisal, and a model match was just listed on the market for 130% of our final sale price (identical condition as ours).

The rents were $500 in each of the identical 1/1 units when I purchased the quad. 

An identical house around the corner sold for 127000 in feb.