It's possible but you have to be willing to learn...maybe even pay money to do that... research research research and don't get into something going off emotion or an attachment to an area, place, etc.!

Turbo skip for skip tracing your data- 15 cents a recordPULL DATA FOR NON OWNER OCCUPIED PROPERTIES - they are fellow investors and have no emotional attachemnt to their homes.OR PULL DATA OF LIENS OR UNPAID TAXES- these show financial hardships and lets you know that the owner may have motivation to sell due to financial hardship 

Fortunately, my wife has a lot more emotional maturity than me.

I'm finding some sellers are becoming emotional with their sales price and cap rates

Supply & DemandUnlike the stock market, which is largely driven by emotions in the short term, real estate prices are based on supply and demand.

Don't be emotional.

I don't let emotions getting involved.

Plus, probably lots of emotional issues for that family anyway...and you would look shady in a court going after old people who can't live on their own anymore....I like your Christmas idea and playing the Scrooge at the end of the story (after he sees the light) not the  beginning sounds the best route....

Should it not be case by case, we make the rules at the end of the day; who says you do have to have skin in the game, I truly find it silly, but again I have no experience, so I could be speaking out of emotion and not truly understand what goes into structuring deals. 

Estates are complicated because of the parties involved and the emotional baggage that accompanies them.