Thanks, after doing some research I see the #'s aren't as favorable as I thought, with the 50/2 rule, I am in MA so very few houses fit this mold, but maybe by year's end if the market continues to dwindle there will be some good housesI also see I have overshot the amount of money that a rental investment would bring in, talking only about $100-$200 in profits / month, vs what I assumed would be closer to $700-$800.

Advertising, Listing Broker, holding costs, etc.If trying to give a low offer, there needs to be other factors in your favor.

Short sales are common in standard business transactions in recognition that creditors are not doing debtors a favor but, rather, engaging in a business transaction when extending credit.

While this type of program will slow the market down, it could work in our favor.

I am starting to build my little weekly vacation rental empire and was wondering if anyone else here does the weekly vacation rentals and how you market them and what your overall vacancy rate is...Im testing the waters by doing a favor for an out of state client while my properties are getting rehabbed.

And the chances to actually close are more favorable when the property price is $25K instead of $205K!!!

Do the numbers add up favorably for a wise investor?

I remember in a realtor training course or one of my many investment courses, this problem was discussed.You may have some rights that work in your favor.

Now is not a favorable time for (new) investors to make assumptions or mistakes.

The numbers are close with the back tax numbers, but why pay the full amount, we're doing them a favor, we'll fix it up now and get it on the tax rolls now, vice them having to wait a few more years and let things deteriorate more in the mean time, public complaints pile up, and end up with no more cash to show for it.