We fixed it up to be pretty nice and get 650-750 per unit on it right now.

Does any one know any site were i can get a nice template or a strategy that you mite use to contact off market properties???

The units are nice,  but, the outside, etc. is still very needy. 

What if the owner doesn’t want to sell once it looks so nice?

The area seems block by block but nice and stable in general with lots of block clubs.

Garages are nice (I'm married to a major car guy) - but future income is probably better in this case.

For me, one of the best spots in St Paul for a new investor is Payne-Phalen: still many sub-200k duplexes (albeit old ones), nice community, and the Payne commercial corridor with awesome businesses such as Toung in Cheek, Caydence coffee, etc.

That would still be a very nice return over the long long term, despite a few years upfront of fronting a bit of negative cash flow.Also, another consideration is that any increase in rents caused by inflation can push these from $0 cash flow to positive cash flow.

But for just saying "Hey Joe meet Sally, I think she might have something you might be interested in", I think if they bought you a beer or a lunch after they struck a deal, that'd be a nice gesture and about all I would expect if it were me.  

@Megan Phillips: Thanks, and nice going on your first property!