For over a year, I was desperate to get into Anacostia but got outbid in that neighborhood 6 times. 

I've already made an offer but continue to receive hesitation in all communications from the seller.The seller is in way over their head from a mechanics and number crunching standpoint and want desperately to walk away with every possible penny.

Sometimes a desperate situation actually turns into some pretty good negotiating

Sub 2 works with a DESPERATE seller who wants the property GONE in the worst way.

Trying to make questionable applicants fit is a sign of desperation.

Sounds like they are getting desperate.

The guy also revealed that he was having money problems and had just done a stint in jail for having unpaid fines.My thought was either these people are really lousy landlords, or they were desperate for tenants and took the first people who came along.

Get a contract with contingency to cover you (an exit contingency). make the offer, don't seem too desperate.

I'm sure lower down payments are done everyday, but probably with more desperate, or less well informed, sellers which will usually be off MLS deals.

quickset locks make it so easy. i key all the locks to one key & takes me a minute to rekey.it's a little bit extra but helps if I ever to have rekey really fast in a desperate situation...plus i know save on the labor.