I have been on here for a little bit now and never did a formal new member introduction.

I'm really stoked to be able to start gleaning form all the collective experience and knowledge that all you fine folks have gained through your time in the real estate investing worldCheers!

@John StokesYour friend is going to have to file: "Notice of Hearing on Petition for Formal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative" with the county.A probate petition if you will.

If you ever decide to flip, this skill set will be absolutely crucial, but it is also important for buy and hold house hackers to ensure you are getting good value for your investment dollar.As mentioned, as a final safe gap, in escrow there will be a formal appraisal that will dictate how much the bank will lend on the property.

There aren't any other formal programs out there that I'm aware of to get into a deal for zero down. 

@Jason Izzihttp://www.co.berks.pa.us/dept/taxclaim/pages/taxs...http://chesco.org/1860/Judicial-Sale-Informationhttp://web.co.lancaster.pa.us/162/Treasurerhttp://www.montcopa.org/569/Tax-Claim-BureauYou have to do some navigation, but I believe all four counties post their information on their own websites. 

This means we definitely conduct formal background checks with credit scores and criminal histories but we also factor in their personality, their sincerity, their facebook account activity, and we go through references with a fine tooth comb.

Is the state judicial, non-judicial or both??

Others have a formal purchase offer form they send through email or snail mail.

Jim, Just wanted to add that no matter what the letter from their lawyer said about ending November 1, I'd read your contract with them as there is probably a clause that states that unless you give a formal written notice 90 days or so in advance, you're on the hook for another whole year, so I'd make sure you follow your contract explicitly about ending their services even though common sense says you already fired them, or you might be getting another letter from their lawyer saying you're still obligated after November if you failed to give the proper notice exactly as required in the contract.