I've been toying with this idea in New England for a few years.

Actually, I'd lean toward a short sale, list above the payoff and you can go down.Probably needs to address his personal finances with a professional and maybe a shrink, divorce usually means for a younger guy, footloose and fancy free, dating and toys, again, I speak from experience but didn't go broke or get in trouble at it (LOL).He might also look into a loan modification if he's in default, get the payments down.

So far we have not crossed paths with any rabid historical preservationists although some friends in the inner cities have & it's a very tough haul.

I'm looking forward to "investors" who have insufficient reserves, over extended credit, and poor PM, realizing they aren't the geniuses they thought they were.Yes, the prices of my portfolio in Denver and Boise may take a hit, but I think it will be a paper hit, and since I'm in this for the long haul, and I'm in it in a position of financial strength, I'll take the short term turbulence if it means less of all the above.

I'm here for the long haul so I would really like to understand more of you; what you need, want and wish for and how we can have a mutually beneficial, long term relationship.

Whether you rent or own, your still paying a mortgage so I'm toying with the idea of buying it from my landlord.  

Basically if you are in this for the long haul you need to brand yourself.

I would think one of the challenges will be offering terms that you can make a good return on, but were they're not so oppressive that you force the borrower to refinance as soon as they can.That, and if a commercial property can afford to service the debt with hard money terms over the long-term then the reasons why the borrower would need hard money would mostly be due to borrower issues (credit, income, etc.)You're OK as long as those issues remain in play, but I would think most borrower would look to remedy whatever shortfalls they have to seek conventional financing ASAP.That said, I believe that while you may not retain too many notes over the long haul you can no doubt find short to med-term success with this.

I have toyed with having some local's to do some door hangers, but I have yet to put any serious thought/ number crunching to that quite yet.

Talk some strategy, I am here for the long haul.