There's numerous reasons for this which are outside the scope of this post.

It's what I call, ' Thinking outside the casket' (outside the box).While not especially creative, going to court and overbidding has been a strategy since 1852 when California's first probate real estate laws were enacted after statehood.There is an overbid formula that you and your agent must follow.

Do you ever attend other meetings outside of your NTAREI group?

Over the course of your investing career you will likely come across properties that are outside of the box for the online insurance providers that are geared to selling auto insurance.

We used to live in Cypress, I worked off the SW Freeway in the Arena Towers, and my husband worked just outside the Loop on Post Oak.

There is not the unknown of the water not turning on, the pipes bursting, the outside not being cared etc.

My wife and I rode through the neighborhood today, and just visually checked out the outside of the home. 

The biggest issue with holding costs outside of paying interest/taxes/etc is the opportunity cost - being able to take this money into a new project is huge and we're trying to move this and move on to the next one....I think we're right on the money currently with price - we've gone over the comps many times and feel we're slightly below the market offering a ton of value.....Do you think staging is effective on a new higher end homes?

I have a similar rowhome outside of Philly (Conshohocken), and did half patio / half grass.  

Keep in mind that Michigan isn't in Detroit...and I only say that because many outside of this area don't get that.