I just had a client negotiate with Fannie... their starting price was $69K and Fannie accepted a $52K and change all cash offer.Don't let the lenders or other dictate you offer price... offer what you will and if they don't accept... move on!

That will likely dictate the course of action you would take.You might want to contact an attorney if you need legal advise on an exit.

so...Where you are from in southern Illinois really dictates where and how you would invest.

Many don't speak English and many are unethical and untrustworthy.How much you are looking to spend will dictate who will work with you.

The land and location might dictate a better use.

That is something you really don't want, some idealists dictating the types and quality of materials that you MUST use in renovations, and delaying projects through an approvals process.Otherwise, as Ann Bellamy has already pointed out, lots of housing stock in large ares are older homes - so if you choose to invest in those regions you will be looking at these older homes.

The location of the property and unit mix with demand dictates future rental increases for the area.

Even people whose circumstances would normally dictate a reduced sale price are asking and getting withing a few percentage points of what stuff is selling for on MLS.

State law will dictate priority of said lien.  

When you rent an apartment you can't dictate that tenants take off their shoes or put down carpeting to cut down on noise.