Sometimes (whether this is right or wrong) they get desperate because, as with many businesses, they may be experiencing a cash crunch.

When you're looking at a specific opportunity...identify that retail "buying pool" and work backwards from there on your number crunching. 

There are no secrets, crunch data about population growth, job growth, vacancy rates, absorption rates, historical prices, and make your best guess.

You can get by some zoning if done right and help the housing crunch with a strategy such as this Tai with solar providers , composting toilets , and those marine wind generators  .

I would obviously have to crunch the numbers on if its worth moving out and paying back a portion of the grant but be able to move onto another property.

Thank you both so much the real scenarios and crunching the numbers.

Quote from @Edwin Epperson: The answer to your first question is yes, the answer to the 2nd question is "YO" (Yes and No).Based on quick number crunching, even with a yes and a yes (increased closing costs and increased carrying costs), the 79% LTV with equity holdback easily outperforms the 75% LTV typical scenario regardless whether it's a 4 month rehab or a 9 month rehab.Can you shed light on the expectation for a lower interest rate in the Rate & Term option? 

Be happy to crunch some numbers with you and chat more about your goals for investing!

There are a few properties on the MLS in that water street area that when you crunch the numbers it makes you want to put an offer in right away with how they can cash flow.

Feel free to touch base if you would like suggestions on communities, home types or need some help crunching the numbers to better understand the investment potential!