@Dustin Alyea, @Rhonda Cruz and @Cindy Szponder there is a North metro meetup hosted by @Dan Mackin that you should get the skinny on.

If you've got a phone or ipod, I find it really handy being able to listen while I'm walking or doing household chores - it makes that time useful beyond what you're just trying to get done!

Don't rush their decision, talk about benefits; cash now, monthly payments, no more tenants, mortgage payments, violations, vacancies....Be prepared to make a decision with a one page skinny purchase contract (one that a High School drop out can understand), a blank check, your profile (who are you, your credential, copy of drivers license, membership in any organizations - Masons, Knights etc.)Your offer should have only one out clause (also know s a contingency), KEEP IT SIMPLE.Make full disclosures - what are you going to do - flip - assign, settle, refer, get a loan on etc.Be friendly, but professionalDress well - don't look like you just got off a tractor in you corn field.

I love what you did with the tall skinny mirror in the bathroom.  

You should check local laws related to foreclosures however.Agents, yes if they are representing others for a commission.I have been using a one page contract for years, I call it a "skinny" agreement.

We pay w/s/g here, but prop taxes and insurance premiums  are pretty low. 1% may be skinny in areas with higher tax & ins costs.

Control and Roll, control the property with a skinny contract, flip before settlementHybrid purchase with seller (as a limited partner), seller to contribute renovation funds, offer property at public auction with a percentage back to seller on equity above offered price.Control and offer property immediately by private treaty.Put together a friendly or family joint venture (if you think the deal is great, convey your enthusiasm to your friends or family members, they put up the needed money, they get a percentage of the NET profits).If the equity is too small or risky to buy, refer it to a competitor or an agent for an UP FRONT referral fee.Find a partner with cash and skills, don't give too much of a percentage away, partners can be expensive.Don't let one deal slow you down, keep using Power Prospecting techniques, making offers and moving forward.........multi-task all the time, just because you are working on one great deal, don't become overwhelmed, get help, but don't slow down.Have fun in this business, don't get greedy, be kind and always think carefully before making hurtful comments, words are hard to take back.Give back to the community when you are financially able to do so.Charles Parrish Baltimore

Agent only show you listed properties, you need to find unlisted or expired listings, I am a broker in Baltimore, I find agents to be for the most part non responsive to investor's needs.Most want the quick in and out deal, nothing too complicated, show me the commission thought is their primary motivation, most do not counsel, don't understand creative financing, delayed settlement, Control and Roll, or the many clauses to benefit investors, a skinny contract offer or what to exclude in their 35 page standard purchase contract.SORRY AGENTS, I have been in your culture for over 40 years, I live and understand it.I know this is a silly statement, but I'll make it anyhow; "If agents knew what we investor know about real estate and the money we make, thy wouldn't be agents representing others, they'd be their own best client."

Been doing what you want to do now for many years now; it it's great concept when you learn how to do it right, that is -------have the right contract offer (I call my contract a "skinny"' easy to read and understand.)A perfect way to exit in order to profit (the auction method of marketing)Control low, assign low, collect your profit and do it oftenMaking full disclosures (keeping yourselves legal from potential trouble and conflict with sellers and their lawyers)Power Prospecting, how to find, negotiate, control and close (knowing values, your market area and having multiple choices of properties; houses, commercial, businesses with real estate, lots, land and subdivisions ----- don't restrict yourself to residential.)DO NOT depend on agents to make you successful.........

Find a realtor in the area that can give you the skinny on the area before pulling the trigger.