We work as REO brokers for the banks, and typically they do not accept offers with any contingencies - we are always instructed to counter out everything except for financing, which is typically 7 - 10 days for a full loan approval.On another note, which most buyers are unaware of - most REO properties are sold with pre-determined Title and Escrow companies, and almost all sellers (banks) that we work with cannot cancel an escrow and open a new escrow if the deposit is in dispute - so the seller typically refunds the deposit in order to open a new escrow and sell the property.So, is your deposit ever really at risk...

From what I've heard, many of those Guru REI classes end up with the guru instructing you to read a couple of books to learn how to proceed in the business. 

The voicemail says, "we will not respond to phone inquiries, please write to us and see the notices on the windows".The notices have a brief description of the house, specifically what is for rent, the address, and these instructions:"Write for an appointment: Limit writing to one page only; introduce your family, include your contact information; state your intended Use and Occupancy, Rent and Payment Period, and Term of stay; detail any special terms and conditions.

I want to know where can I find information for newbies on how to get in the business and can step by step instruct me on being a successful house flipper.

Is there step by step instructions I need to follow?

Glad to be part of this forum where I get quick, instructive feedback.So now that assessed values have gone up, the tax rate should come down unless the county inflates its budget proportionally.

I kind of started at once, i work full time outside real estate, decided to get my real estate license here in mass, and the same time my wife and I started looking for our first house and my instructor became my agent.

and is as follows: SFR / Last sale - 1900 to 2011 / BR 1 to 4 / max assessed value $1 to 227,000 (calculated per instructions) / Equity 30-100% / Excluded trusts. 

It's also possible, this agent was instructed by his client not to present any offers outside of the auction site.

See your attorney and use the same stuff again as the attorney instructs you