I can guarantee the prop manager that if the owner approves I will cut him a check for his "first month's rent and his 8% for this year".

Can you cut the bottoms of the doors then and run it into the closets then?

This can cut out many good deals as local investors are ready right away to put under contract when a property hits the market.A seasoned broker/agent should be qualifying you the investor.

A little ice breaker gift, they get a little less apprehensive about the new owners, they talk a bit more than they were planning to, and they share how their hours were cut at work, or their girlfriend who lives there isn't the same girlfriend who is on the lease, or their son brings his dog when he visits on weekends, or their mom lives two doors down, so this apartment is really convenient for helping her out.

From the countless blogs and forum posts I've read on BiggerPockets it seems as though a lot of investors choose to stick with neighborhoods/municipalities they currently live in, or are already familiar with (it cuts out the step of learning a whole new market).

Cut the cash draining properties and keep the low maintanince long term tenant ones.

Who is going to cut you this check for the 1% transfer tax, and the commissions?

If your numbers are correct, the rehabber may have cut some serious corners.

From an economic standpoint, I am a contractor by trade and occupied units cost way more to work on - I have to cut materials outside and run the stairs to prevent damage to personals inside the unit instead of covering the floors and working in the next room.

Or better yet - cut flowers.