doesn't work too well in the Cleveland market due to the horrendous state of the industry players here.

I grew up near there and am familiar with most of the players now that I've been actively investing for 4+ years.  

If nothing else there is principle pay down on the mortgage gaining you wealth over the long term.I'm a long term player, I fully plan to pay my mortgages for 30 years and actually own the properties I buy some day.One last thing to be aware of is this property will likely negatively effect your DTI which may make future financing harder.

MOST IMPORTANTHaving worked as an asset manager for 2 major REO players; I nor the other 100 asset managers that I worked with, ever looked at the previous mortgage balance.

Anyone offering you 500 to 1000 EM or less is not a player 3.

Bigger players having systems in place that allow them to take calculated risk in buying homes and work on thinner margins.

Thanks @Suzanne Player, I will contact those two banks.

Many of the real players at these meetings, seem to politely steer clear of newbies.

You have the mentality of a football player.

Other than scouring google, what publications and available resources are out there for me to find out more on key players that might be interested in my area?