You do two things here (not that this is my favorite)One - you "influence the BPO" and two - you create a bidding war.

I knew I could count on someone finding the substantiating info.

It falls under the prequisite YOU MUST CONTROL THE TRANSACTION.Since influencing the BPO is one of the most critical points of a successful short sale, I recommend you get ready to contest the BPO valuation.

I think the whole idea is for you not to influence the BPO or the Appraisal... it should be independent of any influence or persuasion.

Regardless of what influences a local market, if it is not priced right there won't be any action, sounds like it's just over priced.

The agents talk to you like you're a crack head for not wanting to pay retail on a property that obviously needs substantial repairs or is in an area that compels you to impute certain risk ratios.Using the standard 70% - repairs out here will, in most cases, put you below a bank's asking price by more than $40,000 - $50,000.

The building codes are highly influenced by the trade unions- who can do the work - what materials to use- all the extra regs geared toward union labor.

This is because I expect a substantial increase in defaults on Option ARM's and Alt-A ARMS.

I know we've thrown around the term "influence" the appraisal or personally I like "assist" in the appraisal process, but this article is EXACTLY why I like to pull my own comps.http://www.housingwatch.com/2010/02/01/are-appraisals-the-new-organized-crime/For example - We are currently negotiating on a property a real estate agent GROSSLY inflated her listing price of (399,000) because the homeowner wanted to pay off his $380,000 mortgage, penalties, interest.

In the event that the Tenant/Buyer substantially defaults on any payments or other obligations required under this Agreement, the purchase option will be automatically void and any monies paid for rent or as option consideration will be retained by the Landlord/Seller as liquidated damages and not as a penalty.