I was seeking conventional financing.

Since you are just buying for investment FHA is not an option so you will be going conventional likely putting 20% down.

“Strong home price appreciation in many markets boosted profits for flippers in 2013 despite a shrinking inventory of lower-priced foreclosure homes to purchase,” said Daren Blomquist, vice president of RealtyTrac.

Because they have made conventional lending too high a hurdle?

For quite a few the delinquencies are so high even conventional won't deal with them.

Conventional financing is tough for small town, non-franchised eateries.Small town may mean aspects of commercial assessments like traffic count, location, tax issues, permits and regulatory matters in that business may not be too appropriate.

In terms of getting the higher returns, outside of venturing into northside I don't believe 10%+ return properties are listed on MLS right now.You can alway keep an eye out and maybe in spring some inventory will bring some better deals.

Both of the owner financing places needed a lot of work and wouldn't qualify for conventional financing.

Property values are on the rise in the Anchorage area and there is low inventory, seems like time to sell.

I remember reading that there was supposed to be a new wave of home sales from bank foreclosure inventories, but I never saw it.