Its honestly trial and error, always get multiple estimates from contractors and usually the middle ones are more or less on point.

it's normal for everyone to want more money as they go. if your pay limit is $40, dont start them at $38 cause you will hit that limit soon.if you hire someone at $12, they wont have the skiils/tools/transportation to do a good job. u have to find the sweet spot and you will by trial and error.

Many books cover variations of this and probably have 90% of the same material because it's a common business.Conversely, the #1 complaint of tenants (according to some long-forgotten book I read years ago, anyway) is that landlords don't respond to issues especially maintenance requests.So, don't be like that.

There are other states that do variations of one or the other or both.

Leads - from the internet or run ads in local papers.Negotiate the price on the phoneMake a trial offer - a trial offer is an offer well below what they wanted - a TRIAL OFFER  will smoke out their true motivation.Always ask for contract candy - that is anything they can add to the deal - all the furniture, owner financing, interest free note for their balance or part of it, a car, money back at settlement etc.Send a skinny contract for electronic signaturesGet it inspected, have agents look at it, get compsIf my offer is too high, go into second stage negotiations (lowering the offer).Advertise the property for sale - if no takers - have a public auction.With remote investing the United States is your market - learn how to do it and you will always have leads, deals and settlements.Good luck,Charles

I know its a basic question but are there variations of DD?

Kelton Johnson , unless this is an owner occupied property, 5% is not bad.Another option and slight variation to what Jay Hinrichs mentioned - offer $63k and ask for a $3k sellers assist.Or ask the seller to finance all or part of it by showing them how much more a 5% interest over 3-5yrs will add to their sale price.Or try a sub-to and refinance in a year if you can improve the value and have the property appraise for higher.

I got an invite to a seminar next week in nyc the link to them in my email reached http://www.richdadeducation.com/ i guess its a new variation  of rich dad any experiences

It is always great to see everyone and talk about our successes (and trials)!  

It's irrelevant to the negligence, therefore not presented at trial.