My credit is in the process of repairing (just have to get one collection removed) and I'd ideally like to purchase a duplex, triplex, 4plex by June of 2017. 

Ideally a property that doesn't need a ton of structural work but mostly cosmetics since I'm learning the ropes.

Meaning, if you have a total of 100K in available credit (credit cards, credit lines), you should ideally always keep it under 30% (30K) utilization or you can ding your credit score badly and can make it difficult to find financing for other things. 

Need someone who's good at structuring the contracts/agreements and ideally can operate in both DC and Maryland (PG county) but I would take Maryland only to start if need be.

Ideally, they would sell to help fund a small building lot in North Augusta, Beech Island, or Aiken area. 

At what point it would've been ideal to reach out to the owner to discuss an offer to prevent foreclosure?

Thanks in advance :)Edit: In case it matters, I'd be focusing on properties in Minnesota, ideally in the Twin Cities area for buy & hold

Obviously, that would be ideal and I will continue to check the market, but would you still suggest that if I could only buy a SFH?

Ideally, the next tenant will also want to stay for a long time, but if you have a shorter tenancy you can show the nice pics and list it and get a head start on filling future vacancies.

The ideal situation would be i go out and find the deals through direct mail, yellow letters, ect.