(knock on wood) Ultimately, I'd work on getting the right deal and then see if you can find someone in your area to split it in exchange for guidance.

It is a no brainer for them, and that is why they are doing it.When they knock on the door using the advertising violations as their entree, their main meal could easily be compliance violations tied to retailing or seller finance.

They will know you mean business when the sheriff knocks on the door.

I'm sure I could get it knocked down to $100K in repairs, for what I'm asking for to be done.

This is what I have come up with for myself.I am going to specialize in FSBO properties, buy and hold/flip investors, facebook ads, and FB group posts for buyer leadsI created a pretty lengthy "how to sell your home" guide for FSBO properties, I plan to stay in front of other agents by actually knocking on doors, and delivering the guide to them in person, and then using that to set up a follow up appointment when I can deliver a free CMA. 

The general picture is that I assume we are knocking on doors where the house is pending foreclosure?

It's okay to be different.A couple examples:1) If everyone is going after Pre-Foreclosure Lists, or Probate leads, maybe you should attack Tax Delinquent Lists.2) If everyone else is contacting by direct mail, maybe you could get actually call, or knock doors.DARE TO BE DIFFERENT (you might fine that a niche acquisition strategy will serve you best).We wish you the best of success,Reach out if you have any questions,ADAM ADAMS

Some of the best ways to get properties for sale or assigning is to use a combination is direct mail, knocking doors, and driving for dollars.  

.- door knock on FSBO signs in yards.- door knock neighbors of vacant homes to find the owner.  

Adding a scammed contractor knocked me out of the game.