Quick answer......zillow; har; last but not least.....knowing the area, if you've REALLY done your home work, you should know just by LOOKING at a house how much you're going to offer.

They say they are looking into it, but it does spook me how much money I have committed in the past believing I had done all the homework and was confident I knew what I was buying...but in reality it was dumb luck I had not been caught up with this.

I guess if you run the math and had the cash you could justify doing it the other way, but to me there is a value in having predictable monthly costs.

My biggest weakness (among many at this point hah) is the math behind the deals so I plan to take the next several weeks and learn as much as possible about that and go from there.

My mind processes math very easily, though, and the math of real estate investment (more particularly owning rental homes) has me very interested.My goal is to save enough for a down payment on rental property, and in the meantime become as much of an expert as possible on the local market and applicable laws.

Wes,I'm pretty new to this, but my presumption is that you are not missing anything... the sellers are just unrealistic and/or not that motivated.I can't check your math because you spoke in terms of total price at some points and per sq ft in others, but assuming you did the math right, you've got to stick to it.

Amateur means you didn't do your homework.

I feel convident I've done my homework, and I think with the "right" rehab, and a bit of forced appreciation, the house will retail for 140-145, my fingers are crossed.I have a LOT more work in front of me.

If you study the properties' financials real good and do your homework, then you can make your decision logically after that, then you will come across a deal and something would jump right at you.

despite that last post. like i was saying bfore what ever deed one has and its listed as defendant in foreclosure and its junior to the first lien foreclosing, bye bye warranty deed personal deed special deed and any other deed u can think of. like i said before when u buy from the sheriif, only deed ur getting is a sheriff deed. yes the form of deed u receive is important but quite irrelevant in this case being that ur interested in sheriff sales. due homework and u will be fine. maybe this guy don't understand ur interest.