You then would have a reason to give for reducing your offer.

If I buy a fixer upper, I flip to increase the rent, attract a better tenant, and reduce the maintenace costs.  

This should reduce the risk somewhat. 

Loan limits can increase by a factor of 3-5 in many of these cases, but this comes with a major tradeoff of 3-5 percent "compensating balances" (read more collateral via covenants or less money loaned in effect)Item 2 is desirable from the perspective of reducing brain damage and consolidating relationships.  

You may be able to reduce costs by installing a roofing system over top of the existing system. 

I've found since 2014 Columbia has really reduced property taxes in certain areas (Richland Cty) and by buying low the beginning tax value is low.

My goal is to reduce my tax bill for 2014 if that helps. 

As soon as we took over she reduced the amount she was paying by 10% because she thought she was acting as the property manager now.  

Demand generally as a rule slacks off in the winter months, thus demand shrinks to some degree thus prices get reduced or sellers will generally accept less during this time of year.

I Want control on who is living there and the metrics I use to screen them but the best return on my investment and reduce overturn and damage to property.