You keep going on about why this lady doesn't work and if she was a good person she should have a job.

If you are thinking of creating a secondary market of some sort, you'd be the third person in the last 5 years that I've talked to and answered this exact question. 

see link http://www.dupageco.org/Recorder/3392/You can search personally or online.

Other option, be a person of solution on where they are going next, help them find a place rental etc., or get them lined up with a residence in and pay for it for the first month. 

"My offer was better because I only wanted this and it was quicker or he should have taken mine because nobody pays 2K to paint a parking block and mine was clearly better (even if he just wanted to wash his hands of the property).Good luck in your investing!

I have personally been raked over the coals on some south side properties with squatters because I wasn't prepared for the time it would take to stabalize the building.

When I've met the dog in person, it's very calm and nice; it just seems to bark a lot when its owner is not home.

I to,d him if he thought selling Cutco knives was challenging, imagine trying to sell a person on investing $50k or more with a sponsor that has yet to perform in this RE market (regardless if the value add is smart and likely to do well).  

And finally (I personally despise this option) you offer cash for keys.

Do I just simply say, "I want to buy your house if interested" and keep it general or make it more personalized, "foreclosures are tough, I would like to help."