Actually alot has changed. 1 the rules are very well regulated now vs 2009 -2012 when it was the wild cowboy days and banks were screwing families all over the place (which is why my wife and I started doing short sales - help families out).2.

Don't try to figure out taxes on your own and screw it up.

There were tenant issues and the seller was getting screwed by his property management company.

We really screwed this up . . ."

Is there any mercy for owner builders who had contractors screw them over like this?

I took extensive video and pictures when i moved as the house was not, to most people in move in condition, obviously cleaned but very cheap and very old carpet, large areas of rooms that weren't entirely painted weird hardware sticking out of walls, screw holes or remaining screws and nails, several patched but not painted areas, tons of areas with drawing, water, oil marks on the walls (from a centimeter to 1 foot) etc etc! 

Some will screw you over.

You never know when the market will decide to screw you over and significantly kill your value, so try to make more of an effort to get the properties at a discount.

I just think most builders look at the numbers and say screw it and abandon the concept for a more expedient strategy with fewer headaches.The advantage of a shipping container is not it's strength (although they are insanely strong....IF you don't put doors and windows in them), but it's mobility (intermodality...trucks, ships, forklifts, etc.).

Long story short, they accepted my offer, but i waited close to a year to try to have the hoarder vacate the property before i closed.....Came to the point where he wasnt doing anything to vacate the property and i just said screw it, and cancelled my contract.