(I would never say that by the way, I have SOME phone/people skills) Who knows, they might know someone else looking to sell, and I don't want to burn that bridge.My question is: Are there certain question you can ask right on the phone that will "qualify" these sellers?

In closing let me leave you with this... take a inventory of your skill sets.

They are slaves to the cycles of buying and selling and by placing their personal value on the marketability of their skills - have converted their self worth to a commodity.

They just don't have the knowledge, skills, tools, and their motivation is simply to save money.

Two of the three things lender is going to be looking for.This could be deal for someone... with the right experience and capital.With that being said, unless your management skills either in managing the property or your property manager are very good.... and your pockets pretty deep to carry the building while you upside manage it and while you hang on for the revitilization to move your way... this will be tough to accomplish.You need to ask yourself... what did the motivated out of state owner miss that I must find?

come on you guys lets hit your numbers up against mikes and lets see if we can come up with a avrage,,, i like the 50 % rule but i really like to refine the process since i bring a lot of construction skills to the table and am learning management i like to estimate property a little closer

They brought true skills to the game.

If so, could you provide some details on this option - I understand that handling short sales well takes some skill and patience, and I'd be willing to pay a pro a reasonable fee to do so for me on a per-deal basis.A $60k boot camp?

The less sexy the better as long as it is within my skill-set to execute.One other question, Jim.

I would like to see if you have done similar deals in the past, whether you bring any skills to the table other than just identifying the property, whether investors you have dealt with in the past have generally had a good experience in their dealings with you after they had invested, etc.2.