If by some weird happenstance you do accept an offer, you will need to drag them along and then they will expect you to wait while they attempt to find a buyer.

You may want to speak to  your financial advisor as to how much to roll over and to where, Luckily there are several of us on the BP boards who work for self directed custodians, so you can usually count on sound advice in terms of what would be acceptable behavior and avoiding prohibited transactions. 

If you accept something less,  just add it to the purchase price in your mind, because YOU owe security deposits to the tenants when they move out. 

The police department was glad to accept.

Doesn't mean they have to accept a short sale, just that they have to review and consider, and during that process must not continue with any foreclosure event (Dual Tracking prohibition against "Furthuring the foreclosure process").

This keeps calls to a minimum.I only accept rent electronically, so no trips to the bank.

If you have a lender letter to go along with your offer and you utilize that to get an offer accepted, but you have no intention of closing it that way, then can't close, you did something shady and people will remember.  

Once you accept the trial, just enter the city and state where you want to find the pre foreclosures ( defaulted properties) and the lists comes up with all of the properties current info.

If you find comparable properties with similar square footage, features, bedrooms/bathrooms that are renting for a price that you find acceptable as an investor, then the investment to improve your property might be worth it.

I know of a few investors who have bought properties by calling the local banks directly, establishing an informal relationship, and buying direct.6-Non-performing notes prior to auction-- I personally have had success, and know of other investors who have been able to contact the banks PRIOR  to the foreclosure sale, make an offer, and get it accepted.