I know this offer won't be the most competitive, but there are a variety of factors that are working in our favor: been on market for months, original offer fell through due to financing, doesn't qualify for FHA or VA, property is down the street from us, it's being sold because owner passed away.

Dumbest thing I ever did for a variety of reasons.  

A variety of auction websites are easily accessible as well.

My eyes were opened to the real estate market due my regular job which is corporate finance (sell side IB) that has had a focus on equity and debt raises for a variety of commercial real estate subsectors depending on where we are on the economic cycle.

But you’ll find a variety of all strategies here on the website.

People accept wholesale numbers for a variety of reasons even when they own the property free and clear but there always has to be motivation.

It's hard to compete with SF's variety and sheer availability of options, but i can imagine some specific ethnic cuisines where SJ kills it.

I guess my first post got the attention of the less helpful people.You are correct, in that there is a variety of ways to make money in real estate, and many ways to be successful and many more ways to fail.

Ensure that your numbers are similar from a variety of sources and use the most conservative numbers you get.

I’ve had tenants pre pay rent for a variety of reasons, one reason being that they were between jobs.If they are between jobs, and everything else looks good, I ask about the last job, i.e. what did they do, proof of income at the time, how long were they there, when did they leave, etc.