I've been to a few local Sheriff sales in the past few weeks to get a vibe from them.

I went back and offered the same 240k, with the offer extended to a week, and the p&s extended out a good amount of time.

Here are a few images from an upper east side NYC apartment I shot two weeks ago.

Going to start making calls next week

Sure enough it was under contract within 2 weeks. 

automatic monthly/bi-weekly debits?

I do student rentals too so they call like once a week for small things.

There were some companies willing to write it with qualifications (one had minimum rental times ie. one week, another specified that the whole unit had to be rented to one party, etc.). 

I will attend my first REIA (REAL ESTATE INVESTORS ASSCN) meeting this week.

Can i sign a short term lease like 1 or 2 weeks?