If you can identify what the seller's motivations are (easier said than done), then you'll be heading in the right direction towards getting a deal.If you can close quickly with cash and no or few contingencies, you can usually get a better deal on a home than someone with traditional financing that takes 30-60 days to close.To answer your questions:1.

The goal is just to get in front of someone in person (or via zoom) to determine how motivated they are.

I am highly motivated to buy a property in the next 30 days. 

Many real estate-specific photographers offer a video virtual tour service which is incredibly helpful when selling homes virtually. 

It’d also be nice to get rid of that PMI with a refi, but might not be likely since rates are already on the rise.Overall, I think we did extremely well and I’m incredibly happy with this first property.

What doesn't make sense to me is that at this current time, rates are so low that a cash out refinance isn't going to seem possible for a long time if you already bought a house at these incredibly low rates (am I correct here)?

My wife and I are motivated and excited to be real estate investors.

We do that as a "Utility Offset" in order to protect our owners from extremely high utility bills when there are more than the normal guest count.Hot tubs can be incredibly valuable!

The feedback from showings has been incredibly positive in that regard.

I disagree that you can't find cash flowing deals, and honestly if you plan it to be your primary residence you get the benefit of incredible interest rates while you house hack!