You can usually fit it in within the dates, just beware of anything that's found that you want to renegotiate can postpone closing which isn't cool with most wholesalers.4) What are ways I can request my earnest money back?

Now I am shifting to buying short sales and rehabbing, and will be hesitant to buy a property as we approach the end of the year, particularly if the property needs outside work that the weather would postpone.

How long before the sale can you still get it postponed?

That has been several months ago and has been postponed each time to the next month.

That would (hopefully) result in the postponement of the sheriff's sale.

My understanding is that with deflation, people postpone purchases on the expectation that prices will continue to fall, which perpetuates the cycle.

You just have to identify the properties you find desirable and how much you are willing to pay, then hope it actually goes to sale (and isn't postponed or stayed) and then hope you can get the winning bid below your max bid number.

I sat down with them and demonstrated that they could improve the efficiency of the house by over 50% with an 8 - 12 % increase in materials cost or, postpone finishing the basement and actually spend less.  

It's a waste of time (and money) to call, text or mail people that aren't in foreclosure anymore.These third party companies only publish the original foreclosure notice...they don't track cancelations or postponements.

Will it be a quick decision, will it be postponed, etc.  4) if I should get the property, what happens next?