My longer term goal is to be profitable and self-sustaining purely through rental income, enabling me to be active as well in development for profit.

There are several websites that enable you to hunt someone down.

Since the August Smart Lock is bluetooth enabled (there is no WiFi at the property, yet) the registered mobile number has to be within a certain range of the lock for it to unlock. 

This would be a great stat to pass on to potential investors to make them feel their money is stable during downturns, enabling them to weather any future storms.Thanks for reading!

This will help you to figure out what you would want to offer for the house eventually and enable you to do research on repair costs.Then, when you do start a conversation with the landlord, and if he does seem interested in selling, you can come up with a price that is based on your knowledge.

The only position I see as "smart" might be (2 actually): 1. buy/flip early in the trend (but early is relative to what the cycle will be); and 2. be the enabler of purchasing r/e (as an agent/broker, lender, etc. etc).How are you approaching the current and uptrending market?

No one likes to hear this but if you are not in a sound financial position, the first step in real estate investing is often getting into a position to enable you to invest.

I know there is the subject2, and shortsales, etc...wouldn't it just be easier to offer to buy the house from the person who is about to face foreclosure - enabling them to pay off the balance and leave them cash still for moving/new house down payment or something?

Note: There is definitely a lot of upside in the area right now due to overflow from Seattle and better transit options into the city, but I don't want to bet on this with the market being where it is right now.Our current house hack has worked out great and enabled us to save a ton of money.

I have a few questions that I will send to you via private message, which will enable me to pinpoint which pro forma statements to send to you.If you will be financing your purchase, I also have excellent lender contacts for financing as second homes or investment properties (some projected rental income will be used toward qualification).Keith