But if I can get it lowered significantly, it's a good buy before the sale.

If buyer fails to fulfill his obligation under this real estate contract or buyer fails to close this transaction, the down payment is not refundable to the buyer unless failure to close is exclusively the fault of the seller of if seller cannot deliver marketable title to the property.  

If you plan on working the deal yourself, do you have any licensed real estate agent contacts that have experience in commercial transactions to assist you?

They will most likely use a CMA rather than an apraisal, also the closing cost have been lower in my experience. 

Based in Los Angeles since 1997, he has completed over 2.5 billion worth of transactions in Southern California and other strategic markets throughout the United States.

Welcome aboard.BP is a great conduit for RE investment advice and insights.My company is a private buyer and private lender on lower ARV $ SFR properties throughout the U.S. 

Yet you are already flipping properties, so I assume you know that.My company is a private buyer and private lender on lower ARV $ SFR properties throughout the country. 

If you negotiate a good enough deal that pays you then complete the transaction with the investor to buy the house you have under contract.

When attempting to purchase a pre-approved short sale, is it possible to negotiate a lower purchase price? 

So, if they are now retired and in a lower tax bracket than you and your brother, they may pay a lower effective tax rate on any taxable income (if any) from the property in your proposed scenario, than you and your brother would if you just bought it and let them live there.