@Dustin Barr - I had a few hiccups in my 20's and now have a perfect credit score after being persistent and annoying.

Most good deals are not found on the MLS (there are some but it takes persistence, lots of offers, perfect timing, relationships, and a bit of being in the right place at the right time), they are created through direct marketing, referrals, driving for dollars, probates, trust sales, BK's, divorce situations, etc.Also, placing more money down does NOT create more cash flow as you must account for a return on your money.

Keep it to monthly at the most to prevent becoming a pest but persistence makes you stand out against the competition.Hope this helps!

If being nice doesn't work and you have the persistence, you have the law on your side to get what you need. 

The successful investor will not give up and be a persistent list builder.

I have noticed a few posts about investing in timeshares  and despite it being a terrible investment people still persist Check out this post on time share tax liens in the hottest vacation area in the USAhttp://www.ocregister.com/2017/04/19/just-18-of-28...

My primary strategy to find deals will be sending out post cards and yellow letters, from what I have researched on bigger pockets people seem to have a good amount of success using those tactics, as long as they are persistent.

I am concern about the 20% down payment , I know that hard money lenders are faster than traditional mortgage lenders but what concerns is being persistent with having to sign the letter and align with my down payment.I got an approval letter with 220K  at 3 % interest with 6 months of $330.79  (during construction) and $971.39 for 360 months with 15 % down payment. 

The numbers were good and I was persistent.

They are either interested in selling or they are happy to let it rot while thinking they are sitting on a goldmine.I have some advice.1) Keep doing what you are doing and be persistent. 2) Go talk to the neighbors of the homes.