We can debate it endlessly here but it won't change anything.

This may spark debate among some but I am finding there are ways to do it and I am having some luck already!!

The blog poster admits that he enters into the contract knowing his intention is to strong arm the seller once the seller can no longer field other offers.I don't believe that the blog post should be removed but the O.P. definitely operates in a gray area & @Walt Payne brings up some valid ethical points.I don't know if there really is a right or wrong answer to this debate.

I have been debating what to do with the stairs.  

The only way I see Schenectady being worthwhile is if the casino brings taxes down, then landlord profits and home values will rise overnight, but there's a lot of debate as to whether or not that will happen, and Schenectady has somewhat of a reputation for being corrupt, so I don't want to speculate there personally, but it could be a gamble that pays off.

Mail, call and knock.While you spend inordinate time with spouse debating the approach, others are taking action. 

But real estate is just such a market where how much an ugly or distressed property is worth is open to some debate.

This distinction is the point at the focus of the debate.

Whether they are better off investing in Austin or CA can and has been debated here.  

The Fannie/Freddie regs literally state that the delayed finance exception works to refi your "initial investment" in the property but they do not define "initial investment," leaving the term up for debate.