Here is the rent from my other properties that are all pretty close by.2 bed: $10003 bed: $8753 bed: $1,100 (I got some desperate students at the last minute)3 bed; I'm living in with 2 roomies paying $300 each)3 bed: $900None of these properties are as nice as the one I want to buy, but the rental market is weak now, there are a ton of properties close by that have been for rent for months.

Keep metrics on everything and you can then identify the weak points.  2.

I was already very familiar with my market but that is only a part of running the business, it has really led me to exploit my weakness such as marketing, getting out there and talking with people, reading contracts all the way through lol. 

Different loan products will have different limits on seller concessions.If the property doesn't appraise at the higher amount, the buyer will have to bring the difference or the seller will have to reduce the price.It's a weak offer because the buyer doesn't have the full cash for the down payment and the closing costs.

His response seemed weak to me, said he can't offer advice as far as the law is concerned, because its an "as is" property, attorney will order survey, title reports, etc.  

I wouldn't put your retirement money into partnership like that.It sounds like a group that has some experience but not a lot.You are talking about buying into an existing corporation as a partner and taking on it's assets but also it's liabilities.What if the other partners are weak in a few years and yet you are strong??

Investing long distance does have some unique challenges but I'm a believer that investing in a strong remote market is better than investing in a weak local market.

My realtor makes it sound like there will be multiple bids from investors on these properties and that I am in a weak position because I am not a cash buyer so offering less than the bank’s asking price will probably not get me the property and even an offer at the asking price might not get it done in this market.

This has been a steady increase, rather than a dramatic jump.The housing market in Atlanta is weak.

Students can smell weakness a thousand miles away and will gladly take advantage of that. 4) I have a contact person from each property to handle any matters that either I or the tenants at the house have.