@Eve W.An offer that is appealing to one seller is an extremely individual situation based on their circumstances and desires.There isn't a universal structure that will have overall appeal.The key is to keep making offers crafted from what the seller gives you in your conversations that ultimately make sense for you as an investor.

Thank you for your input, Eric it sounds like having a 4 family in that circumstance helped alot.

I do the same thing as @Jon Klaus and once a verbal agreement is reached, I try to get a signed contract ASAP.Under very rare circumstances do I write the EMD check to the seller, either there is no EMD in FSBO deals or if there is one, the EMD check is made out to the title company of my choice.

But I am going to stick with a more personal approach given the circumstances.

He hasn't paid the property tax in 4 years and who knows what else, he may not want to admit it's him.I plan to continue contacting him.Also, a sidenote, the vacant house isn't THAT bad, it's not dilapidated or falling apart, you can just tell it's been neglected.

I am VERY familiar with what happens to properties in this circumstances and how easily the tenant can make the cit withhold rent.

You'll also be able to piece together the facts and circumstances which tell the story of the asset that is your subject property.

Because you are reporting the sale of your primary residence and will be paying capital gains taxes on your profits (not the sale price), you must use the standard 1040, sometimes called the long form. 1040A and 1040EZ are not appropriate for your circumstances this year.

The point that many of you have made, and that I neglected: do I have good deals to use all that leveraged money.

A lot of the houses we get are neglected including the yards.