The day before our honeymoon ended, the underwriters found something "wrong" on my cell phone bill.

In addition, I have also heard that there are plans for a fuel cell development, but that won't bring in jobs for at least another 20 years.

It's more complex than just having someone on the phone telling you what the bid is.To do it right, you also need teams of people to pre-determine a baseline of value, pull and analyze title reports, drive properties, pick up checks ahead of time, and yes, show up to the auction with a cell phone that won't lose reception.The service I use charges 6% of the purchase price or a minimum of $10K.

@Mike Lowery  http://www.eventbrite.com/e/rentals-flips-cocktails-dips-raising-money-for-breast-cancer-research-tickets-13227075539

Here you would hand deliver the notice, or mail it, then if they still don't get out file with the court.We just bought a 4 family and I requested contact info (cell numbers and e mail addresses) along with SSN's from the existing tenants, only one apartment complied.  

This was back before cell phones so before heading home after a showing I'd have to go to a nearby phone booth and check my messages.

If you don't get the money when they have it, you won't get it because they'll change their mind and spend it on something stupid like a new cell phone, or big screen TV.

The seller got cancer, cannot work, and needs to liquidate assets.

We're talking a run down area with convenience stores, cell phone stops, T-shirt shops, nail salons and even a dreaded store front church (I remember an Urban Planning professor describing store front churches as an indicator that the commercial value was in the lowest tier).

While such an approach is totally wrong, IMO, it is easy and many Realtors don't have many brain cells left to damage.As an investor, your valuations should come from comprable sales in the area.