I recommend that you take some time to get to know your farm area by driving/walking it different times of the day and signing up for automatic alerts via Redfin, Zillow, or through an agent so you can be notified of house sales in your area.I wish you the best!

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Been involved in attempting my first deal but we walked away this week as we didn't want to overpay on the building.

Interview some contractors and after choosing one, schedule a time to walk through the home with a contractor to get a better estimate.Have the home inspected.

I was walking my recently purchased duplex with my contractor whom I've known for 13 years.

Hey Tim GordonI walk by the county court house after work every day and Ive been getting a list to send to.

That doesn't matter if you are comfortable just doing business by internet and phone rather than walking into a branch.

Is it more feasible for an investor to look elsewhere until a correction occurs and on a very practical level does walking away now make sense. 

Kids playing, mothers pushing strollers, mowed lawns, cul-de-sacs, off major roads, little traffic (so kids can play outside), good school district, walking distance or a short drive to shopping.  

This will give you time to negotiate for those items and if they balk you can walk without losing earnest money.