I was ready to put in the paper work to sign on with the realtor and submit an offer, but the Realtor is telling me that the owner is not cooperating and has some problems.The agent told me that about every 6 months the owner , when accepting an offer has to submit his w2 forms, and other paper work to the bank ( I have no clue what the owner has to submit or if this is even true) BUT, the agent said that he's been e mailing and leaving messages for the owner!

Best to give the appearance of cooperating with him.

@Nic Cooper Congrats on the move!

I'm unlucky enough to live in NC (used to be a good state before Roy Cooper). 

@Abigail Cooper, why it is harder to evict in Durham than Raleigh?

My contractor submitted two separate estimates, one for the repairs, and a separate one for the unrelated remodel.My attorney told me I had to go through a complete eviction, but the family was very cooperative, and I opted to not follow his advice. 

@Cooper Marcus looking into trying one too... let me know how it goes. i'm thinking about absentee owners in the Greenville, Greer, Taylors, Travelers Rest areas in SC.

Tried to post a photo but alas, technology is not cooperating.

We told them we weren't raising rents at this time (that put them at ease and gained their trust & cooperation), then we inspected all the units and focused on health & safety issues and deferred maintenance.

We tell them we need the notice in writing with the firm move-out date and ask that they be cooperative with showings.