I'm just going to offer my opinion on Arbitrage in general.

Owners mistakenly ASSUME all PMCs offer the exact SAME SERVICES and PERFORM those services EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, so price is the only differentiator – so, they often select the first PMC they call or that calls them back!

As a student without W2 income, you may need to show alternative income sources like savings, freelance work, or a job offer.

@Johnny Lynum we did offer them an aggressive cash for keys amount to get them out as soon as possible.

The owners of 100+ unit complexes are not individuals who will be swayed to sell by a good offer or the need to cut short term losses.

If someone offered to finance this house to you at your current rates if you put down $250k would you do it?

At the time, just about everything was going for much higher price per square foot and with multiple offers.

Here are some indicators to help you assess a buyer's seriousness:Questions: Serious buyers will ask detailed questions about the property, such as maintenance costs, neighborhood amenities, and property taxesStrong Offer: If a buyer makes a strong offer quickly, it often indicates a high level of interest and intent to purchasePrivate Buyers: If approached by a private buyer, ensure they provide a Letter of Intent (LOI) and proof of funds.  

At the time, his offer was low, and I had potential plans for that space, so I turned him down.

Both investments can offer tax benefits, but real estate typically has the edge.