They do many more transactions than the typical agent or attorney, and many are even licensed as agents themselves.

TYPICAL

Obviously the big pieces of the puzzle are already in place, so it seems a bit excessive to me to pay a typical commission.Thanks in advance for the input!

Typically on heating oil tanks you will have some soil contamination around the tank from over fills and small spills. 

I typically figure 5% repairs, plumbing, electrical, 3% miscellaneous (tree trimming, gutter clean-out, landscape upkeep, lock changes, etc.)That deal is tight. 

Typically Onslow County has between 1200-1400 active rentals in the market. 

I typically take them at 70% of the purchase price in my underwriting. 

A successful short-sale typically benefits the borrower (homeowner) in the following ways: it can give them more time in the house (and payment-free); it is better than a foreclosure from a credit report perspective and wold allow him to obtain a new purchase loan for a new home in the future more quickly as compared to having it go through foreclosure.I would encourage you both to reach out to a local realtor with short-sale experience and have them facilitate the transaction, it would not cost you or the owner the commission as it would be paid out of the bank's proceeds.No, in a short-sale I would definitely not offer any payments to him directly that are not known and approved by the bank, you can get yourself in hot water and probably legal trouble by doing that on a short sale.

Typically they are going to give you construction loans at a much lower rate than hard money will.

If all of that checks, then I look for typical problem areas (sewer lagoons, poor markets, too many empty lots, etc).