And as a previous poster intimated, there is safety in numbers, meaning, the more the properties the greater the risk reduction in such a self-insuring mechanism..

Price reductions are starting to come quickly, and most banks are turning to auctions, to get rid of their aged inventory.

They are trying to get some refi business by using the mortgage insurance reduction as the opening and then offering the person an FHA streamline refinance or conventional refi, with lender paid mortgage insurance or if enough equity, conventional with no mortgage insurance.

I'm currently seeing a surplus of capital and reduction of rates with new competition.  

Russell,I previously worked in the Cook County Assessor's office for 20 years and now work for a tax firm that specializes in reduction of real estate taxes.

We were able to get significant price reduction using inspection report.

A price reduction is probably the only thing that will stirs up activity.

Invest as part of a tax reduction strategy?

FHA Financing;Single Family Residence or The rental units are an owner-occupied two (2), three (3) or four (4) unit property Maximum Basic Standard FinancingSingle - $271,050Duplex - $347,000Triplex - $419,425Fourplex - $521,250FHA Basic High Cost area limits are:Single - $625,500Duplex - $800,775Triplex - $967,950Fourplex - $1,202,925Financing for Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Virgin Islands -Single - $938,250 Duplex - $1,201,150Triplex - $1,451,925Fourplex - $1,804,375Here is the site to search by county for the maximum financing. https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/hicostlook.cfmMaximum Financed Properties The maximum of four financed properties includes the subject property.Inducements to Purchase Certain expenses, paid by the seller and/or another interested third party, on behalf of the borrower, are considered “inducements to purchase” and result in a dollar for dollar reduction to the lesser of the sales price or appraised value of the property before applying the appropriate LTV factor.

They typically consider price adjustments in 30 day cycles so if you don't get your price, track the last price reduction and stand-by for a lower asking price.