With a competent realtor, I think the most important factor for a successful short sale is the home owner.

A partner made the statement in the paper and we had to work nights up to 1 in the morning interviewing contractors and suppliers to meet the date.So there you have it.David

At the closing I was told the end of the year was a big factor in my offer being accepted.I bought it with the help of a hml and will be doing alot of repairs, new flooring, kitchen cabinets/counters, new windows, alot of stuff that will help the houses value but strictly from a rental standpoint is not entirely needed.

Having a proper business plan, multiple exit strategies, and the ability to properly analize the investments are also key factors in addition to purchasing at a large discount in any economy, bad, or good.

At break even, and after factoring out the transaction costs, you need about 1.25% annual appreciation for five years just to be break even.

If you choose a law firm that does LOTS of tenancy work they will charge an "appearance" fee of say $140 to appear in Court that morning and that's it.

Actually having the knowledge and knowing the lingo can be a key factor.

The higher class neighborhoods will start to see a substantial drop and more foreclosures start to hit the market.By the summer we will see commercial real estate drop in a huge way.In my opinion the severity of the commercial & jumbo loan market collapse, how it is percieved and handled will be the single largest factor in determing how soon we see the "intrisic values".Either way we look at it I think we are all in agreement that times are going to get far worse before any lasting forward progress is made.This is the best damn site!

Have you factored in their points and monthly payments?

When estimating rents be fairly conservative and don't forget to take into account a vacancy factor.