Perhaps we might be able to get a discount at local or box stores that specialize in home improvements/building products.

Obviously giving up any bulk or multi unit discounts, but getting a unit ready to rent quickly.

It's got to be discounted by enough, but that's usually not a problem.

What is very strange is that when I searched the sales records, it seems they aren't buying at such a huge discount, most look like the same ratios of price to assessment that individual investors like us were paying, some even seem to be fairly high, definitely not what I would have expected from bulk purchases.

Material Costs - Anything that can be easily shipped can be purchased yourself online for significant discounts.

More advanced college institutions (I went to college in Indiana, but got to admit not many places have Caltech, Stanford and the top rated public system UC, which is 10 schools all in one state) and ability to tap into the brain economy (i.e. tech) can't be discounted either.You definately have to buy only in certain times here though and it is tough to find cash flowing deals.

If this is a conventional loan it must follow Fannie/Freddie underwriting guidelines, which stipulate that seller contributions (down payment, closing costs, prepaids, discount points, etc) for an investment property cannot exceed 2% of the value of the property, which is the lesser of the sales price or the appraised value.

@Aaron Sims - I hope you discounted the purchase price for these.

You must've gotten this at a very very nice discount and/or the area must be picking up to go from what it was to what it is now (not sure if that makes sense).

Try Lumber Liquidators as well; if you see something there you like, get a commercial account and buy through that commercial account rep so you get a discount.