The good news is, you can specify in your contract that if you buy something, and the agent does get a commission paid by the seller, that whatever you have paid to them, up to the amount of the commission, gets returned to you and the agent simply gets the normal commission.  

For sure Bob - each side is 2 bed 1 bath 820 sq foot, located in east Bremerton.

That said, you still have to qualify for VA payment wise and would probably need a "normal" income stream for at least two years until you develop an income tax history.

The cost per sq ft is not accurate enough to kill the deal.It is used, as you are as a starting point for consideration.I suggest getting some hard numbers quoted on the big ticket items ie, HVAC, plumbing , and electrical and the rest is relatively cheap.Pricing per square foot works better with new construction, anything can happen in a rehab.

No chooses to live in a high crime, low rent area where gun shots are accepted as normal background noise. 

Just looking for some advice or clever strategies to make sure I start off on the right foot!

Has anyone ever had the courage to put an investment up for auction as opposed to selling it normally?

If there is a sign with the name of the complex, rename it so everyone around knows it's turning a new leaf.Tenants are bad, so put your foot down.

We have done a few shiplap walls but the are existing walls in a shiplap house so not sure on price per square foot. 

i go by what is the most expensive things in a house to replace and the number is normally between  5000-10000 in an emergency fund.