What would be my best bet as to start up money or money up front ?

If I'm off on my rehab costs or my ARV, all bets are off.

While your imediate area may be tought to cash flow, I bet within an hours drive there are neighbrhoods that will make great rentals.

Your best bet will be smaller local banks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Congratulations, for your journey leaving Fortune 100 and going into Forbes 400.

What would be my best bet.

I know it may seem crazy, but I'm just wondering if the wallpaper doesn't come down easily (which I bet it won't because it appears to have been there a while) how difficult it will be to fix the walls.

Best of luck to you in your journey.

I see the bull market and have invested a bit in a dozen companies but the ETF's would certainly be a safer bet.

You might call that agent's broker to ask about a better contract, I'd bet a multi is available through the Board of Realtors, if that broker doesn't usually have such business he may not stock 500 copies for the agents.I agree with Ned, begin with a basic meeting of the minds with the seller before sinking money into deeper negotiations and due diligence.$2500 may be steep for a boilerplate contract, but if he's representing you, doing the contract and taking you to closing (not closing but getting you there) that's cheap.