I have been investing in the stock market for the past few years and want to broaden my horizons and get into real estate...

Or broaden out your search to find a house in town with a better rent to value ratio.The other major thing is that you want to make sure you plan to be in the area a long time.

The best ones are the ones that monitor credit scores for sourcing deals because those lists beat the other ones for speed...if you are fishing from the same pond as every other investor you will have too much competition to get quality deal flow.

Do I make his payments (I doubt he wants that as he's a much bigger fish than me)?

After doing some research on the Biggert Waters act and listening to my dad's timeless wisdom "build on the hill and fish in the river", I think I owe thanks for the bullet dodged.Cheers.

Maybe broaden your search area. 

YUP completely different kettle of fish.. and maybe why its still there.. normally a pre foreclosure at that low level DT or mortgage would have a path beaten to the door of the owner.. with multiple suitors. 

Account ClosedWe're pretty small fish in the scheme of things but have gotten to a point where we are able to live on income from our investments so it's no small feat.I worry about some of what you mention given the current market conditions.Here's the ideas that we've come up with to diversify:Purchase timbered lands and come up with business plans/gain capabilities to capitalize on the timber (specifically hardwoods) industryFor me, look into ways of diversifying our real estate holdings. 

If it was easy everyone would be doing it,  Just stay persistent and keep fishing you will find the lenders, just like when you find the deals to buy.

I would cashout and redeploy the equity and continue to build your asset portfolio and enjoy the appreciation when you can, the cash flow when you have it, and the depreciation when you have it.Selling an asset to buy another one to me is like selling fish to buy worms to go fishing.If I can assist, let me know.