Prices will soften up a bit in dec/Jan.

But to soften it and keep the lines of communication open, I'd talk to him first.

In fact rents didn't even soften to any great degree.

When one of three properties are vacant, the two occupied properties can help soften the financial blow of the vacant one.

The following year it was roof, shed, water softener, water heater.   

I am 77 y/o now and use to love attending those meet-up when I started taking courses, seminars, buying programs, books and tapes in my 20'soften times i was asked to speak or hold a class on investingWrite down what questions you have and want answered.Tax salesWhat is Wholesalehow to best negotiate price with sellerhow to control properties with no cash or creditforming partnershipraising private moneybuilding a REIABefore you leave for this program run some ads in the newspapers (WANTED, houses, commercial all real estate, get on the mailing list of all Auctioneers in your area so that you'll have leads when you return to practice what you learnt.it is amazing how much money you can make in this business when you are prepared, BE READY with contracts (I like a Skinny form) have your check book in hand, and everything you need to inspect a property. 

Is the market softening?

in our area new construction MF has been booming  but I think there is going to be an over saturation and some softening in rents and profromas with some partnerships stressed by not meeting the DCR requirements.as for SFR its well not a Joke but it is a jokeby the time our government with all the rules and fees. it will cost us almost 100k per lot before we go vertical and not including the price of the dirt.. and affordable in our market would be new construction under 300k  virtually impossible to provide that product under the current regulations .. then you take in the fact of tight labor and sub contractors jacking their prices for the last 5 to 7 years and well at least in our market you have to be north of 400k to have any hope of a profit on a new build SFR.Infill is not a lot better given that lot prices are 100 to 300k per in the markets we work  which is Charleston and Portland.used to be we could get infill lots in Indy for example for 20 to 40k those have doubled or more.. instead of buying rentals a few years back the better play would have been to load up on lots in these areas that are transitioning appreciation has been over 100%  .. 

Also, with the economy softening the LTV percent could be lower if you are not buying the property for a year or two. 

A $200 cleaning fee because I didn't clean the baseboards and I left fabric softener sheets in 2 of the vents.