And worst case the deal doesn't pan out and I only lose my earnest money?

If it pan's out it is a home run, but if it doesn't and you can't bank on it, you have to be okay with status quo as an investor.

Of course my parents good intentions never panned out as tenants would just get what they could "rent for free" for as long as they could and when they were able to they would vacate in the middle of the night.  

In short, here is how everything panned out:1.

@Mike Dymski I love this article and topic, and see all these things to be true in my Pacific Northwest area (can't comment on the south stuff).

@Tom Gimer  there was a big case in SF 20 to 30 years ago.. ( no rarely does an improved property in CA get all the way to tax sale its quite rare) BAre land yes thousands but not houses.Anyway little ole minority lady loses her 1 mil dollar SF row house for less than 10k.. in that case the county supervisors over turned it.. just like Oregon would do.but you have that one in SF right now were someone for 900. bucks bought the right of way to a Pacific Heights development..

Will depend on the person's intentions and if they pan out.

I guess I am going to have to see what pans out at this point. 

I am mailing consistently on those because I know they will pan out.... or they will finally call and tell me to go pound sand.

Thursday, May 24 at 5:00 Pacific, 8:00 EasternInvesting in real estate is a lot like moving a long train: the most difficult part is starting, but once you get going, it's hard to stop!