You can also see if there are obvious signs that a tank was abandoned (filled with sand or foam) in the past--like a fill or vent pipe (wide pipes going vertically up) near the basement outside, or a weird circular depression about the size of a tin can top in the concrete usually in front of the house.

Has anyone had success negotiating with the bank outside of a Short Sale?

@DIANE LEEInside or outside the perimeter?  

They did this to one client and it was 0F outside and he had no money. 

Problem is, outside of vague mentions of Real Estate and other vehicles, it doesn't really delve into other investment options.I'm putting 8% into a 401k through my 9-5 (100% up to 4%, 50% from 5-8%), and I'm an accidental landlord (thin cash flow at the moment).

Really sorry to drone on, but being outside of the US, I just felt that i need to ask some region-specific questions that may differ over here.Thanks for reading, and hope to get to know some of you a lot better over the coming months/years.Cheers.Craig Aucott

(Vs the current $430).Find out what numbers they are using, and if it's say a 41% debt to income ratio allowed, find a bank that allows a higher ratio and hopefully you can make up the difference as $20 over 30 years is not that much.Another idea is to use the $430 to buy the house and get a Home Equity Line (you said there is a ton of equity) and pay dad 20k from that.That way you keep the 20% down etc..Check your total payment and make sure it's within your comfort zone.Last option is to pay dad $430 and figure out a way to get him his other $20 outside of the bank loan.Maybe he will agree to finance the last 20 to you if all else fails.Good luck!

It  being 5 minutes closer to work works, so does describing how the home is a better fit for your family because it has more space outside for your dog, etc.

Say I'm doing some work outside or getting something out of the garage that I don't let the tenant use?

Or can I pull comps from just outside of the district?