Several on this forum have casually thrown this idea out there, but I've yet to see phone numbers or websites, etc.

I would be willing to bet that if you worked with the tenants that want to stay you would be able to get in the unit with their cooperation and paint or perform some other improvements along with what you mentioned.

Then if it warrants I book an appointment to come out and see the house and will usually make a verbal offer based on my diligence to that point.I already have performed my comps, I already have a price range that the seller was willing to accept or even the least amount of cash they want, and now at my visit I have a good idea of my rehab costs.

About a year ago I purchased a duplex penthouse apartment on a luxury golf estate near Mar Menor in Spain. Only after purchasing the property did I become aware of the fact that, as a non-EU resident, I have to pay...

We have a 60 day due dillegence period and plan on hiring a local property mananement company to perform an independent assessment of the property.

Very similar situation in that he began to resent performing physical work while I was "sitting behind a computer" even though this was what we agreed to (verbally, not in writing) and he wanted to start hiring out all the physical work.I would advise finding some other way to do the deal, like what Brian suggests.

Ask the specific questions to their references related to performance on quality, time and budget.

I know Regions bank loves to dump their REOs and non performing notes before the new year to cash buyers.Joe Gore

There is a stipulation to the on-going and casual communication with the Buyer.

Try to hit some local REIAs in order to meet fellow investors, and join the local BPers at the monthly casual meetup that @Aaron Yates and I coordinate.