For me as a real estate broker a good comp it’s a home with similar characteristics such as as your subject home.Those are most likely as you are aware year built 10+-, similar square feet 100 to 200 sqft -+, distances from subject property must likely will be a 1 mile or less, the closer the comp the stronger.

1) If the market is that hot, consider making a stronger offer but contingent on inspection, if you get it under agreement, make the trip, do the inspection in person & make a list and negotiate after.

If you can make an initial offer where they break even and you close quickly that could be stronger than having to wait for a higher price.

as a part of this forum i hope to build a stronger knowledge base of the REal Estate industry while at the same time making solid contacts throughout the country.

A 10% Down FHA at asking price.And a couple of 3.5% down FHA that need help with closing costs.Looks like buyers just have enough funds to close and don't have additional monies unless I would remove appraisal contingency which I have in the past with stronger buyers.

It can seem very overwhelming but this site gives me hope and my ambition to be successful grows stronger and stronger.

You can exploit this.You can make an offer look stronger, without exposing yourself to any additional risk, by making your earnest money deposit some absurd amount of money greater than 3%.

Cash flows are much stronger in the duplex example.Note: Rents in my target area are not as high as in the example, but they seem to be that high in yours.

The bank does like to choose the partners with the stronger balance sheets.Do you blame them?

Based on what you have told me, I would recommend buying in areas that your buying power is stronger based on price of the house and the rent amount.