If I were going to use this method, I would simply knock on the door and ask them if their house is for sale and how much they want?

mnmoney;in reading these posts here, i really like your thinking and way of executing this.....but, correct me if i'm wrong. isn't the land trust method a way to do it only when the end buyer is an "all cash" buyer?

(the price difference between the original contract with the sellers, and your contract with the buyers.)You then get paid at close, to release the seller from selling to you as agreed previously.This helps avoid title seasoning issues with the buyers lender, as they might want to see the seller in the transaction hold title for a year, sometimes less.Also, most lenders will not allow an assignment fee to be paid out of loan procceeds, so the above method avoids that issue as well.A bonus to this is one set of closing costs, instead of two as per the double close

I come from an engineering background and one method for bidding on projects is a 'cost plus' model.

I'm not saying submitting your offer in a letter of intent or anything other method won't be valid, but you're doing the same thing you would be in a purchase agreement, only with everything clearly stated.If you're concerned about the sellers agent representing you well, find another Ohio realtor and ask them to represent you in the transaction who write the contract for you.

I'm a beginning investor from Long Beach and I'm looking for a socal city with a good balance of high cap rate/low vacancy/lots of quality tenants.

Failing doesn't just mean not succeeding; it can mean financial ruin, wrecked marriages and great emotional pain.Interestingly, when I read posts from people who have purchased this guru's or that guru's program and complained, most of the complaints were about how difficult it was to get their money back, and not about the quality of the plan itself.

Any other insights on this bargain-hunting method?

I see that i was on the right track but i wasnt sure if i could do that, ive been studying all the methods and how to go about doing things. thank you thank you thank you.

I can perform professional or better quality work in almost every field.