If you are constantly getting the 2-4 place in your bid, then it's just a numbers game aka getting more offers out there and being competitive.If you are not even close to winning the bid, then it's time to either up price or terms, or both. 

That really rubs me the wrong way to play this game of "well we didnt do anything to fix the foundation so we are not liable".  

Probably to late in the game to hire a public adjuster but I would never go into a situation like this w/o hiring one. 

My wife and I are looking to get in the game on the south side.

Congrats on wanting to jump into the STR game. 

Last year new construction was so crazy that prices were climbing weekly, builders were doing lotteries again, and people who were fortunate enough to sign contracts at the beginning of the gold rush ended up with homes that were worth 30k or 40k more by the time their homes were actually completed.

Another way of getting in the game is to do work for someone established. 

that FHS "hack" is definately part of my game plan.as i dount i'd afford 25%+of a decent quad in a timely matter.

Seems like all the millennials want to get into the STR game.

They play this game with a lot of agents.