If the OP and I bid on the same property and offer the same amount, but I forgo my side of the commission (I can do this because I'm an agent), I'll get the property before he will.So, the listing can very well decide that they don't want to take both sides of the commission, and by choosing not to take both sides, they increase the net offer amount and therefore increase the buyer's chances of getting the property under contract.

Getting off topic, but to tie into the OP, having an equitable interest in a property and dealing in your own interests is fine.

I'm not sure the OP could pay with cash.

What about getting coin-op machines?

If anyone told me that the one bedroom Central Park West co-op I could have purchased in NYC in 1976 for $38,500 would sell for $1.1 Million in 2007 I would have thought them crazy.

I meant to look at who voted for the OP and mistakenly voted and there is no way I know of to retract it.

Then the OP wants to use his buyer's "deposit" as the EMD on the A-B.

FMR Year Efficiency One-Bedroom Two-Bedroom Three-Bedroom Four-BedroomFY 2000 $456 $553 $649 $871 $1,027FY 2001 $530 $643 $755 $1,013 $1,195FY 2002 $545 $662 $777 $1,042 $1,230FY 2003 $559 $678 $796 $1,069 $1,260FY 2004 $561 $680 $799 $1,073 $1,264FY 2005 Revised Final $574 $701 $779 $995 $1,076 Final FY 2006 FMR $655 $734 $817 $1,027 $1,064Final FY 2007 FMR $682 $764 $850 $1,068 $1,107Final FY 2008 FMR $639 $717 $797 $1,002 $1,038Final FY 2009 FMR $638 $715 $795 $999 $1,035Final FY 2010 FMR $687 $770 $856 $1,076 $1,115Final FY 2011 FMR $695 $779 $867 $1,090 $1,129So in our area the concept that the OP presented that "...I am picking up properties for less than I was a decade ago" means that everything else being equal your rental margins should be a lot better.

JonOn tuesday I had breakfast at my favorite mom and pop place, just doen the street form my office. 2,99 bacon eggs and toast... cant beat it!

Well - the way I read the OP question it is about "owning" VS "buying" real estate.