So compared to burning my money every month renting, this seems like a pretty good starter home for a first time buyer.

Its not worth it to burn the contractor, and its bad business.

These proof of funds requirements exist because the big sellers - banks selling REOs - where burned too many times by "cash offers" that fell through.

I have thought about cash for keys, but no one is living there and like you said not sure if legally that would even work, so I am just going to basically do a wait and see approach and drive by it a bunch just to make sure I don't see anyone taking copper pipes ect... and I have given my info to all of the neighbors so they can call me if they see anything shady, but I am planning on basically gutting the house anyways and I have it insured already in case it burns down, so hopefully won't have any problems, but never know I guess.This was the 1st tax auction in my county in over 2 years so not something that happens on a regular basis and 1st one I have bought at Tax auction, so just has me a little nervous having all that money tied up for 3 weeks not having any access to the property, but hopefully it should be fine.

I dont do partial payments as I got burned really bad and refuse to even consider it.

July 1st is tomorrow and Pegula has some coin burning a hole in his pocket!

If you back out during this period do you burn a relationship with a HUD listing agent of some sort?

I mentally cursed out the tenant, then counted myself lucky the building didn't burn.

You will get burned.

Brian K - Some landlords allow no latitude while others have a little room for helping out (and others, who don't know better, get burned).