The second reason is some lenders chose to sell these distressed loans off-market instead of foreclosing these properties and then sell them to the public.  

She actually thought she had paid off the loan!  

For sellers multiple offers is still happening but I have buyers getting deals 5-15% off asking so it varies. 

Nothing beats prospecting to find deals:1) driving for dollars2) door knocking3) cold callingThe great thing about #3 is that it can be handed off to a VA once you get busy, I know I run a Real Estate Call Center.

Show them you are interested in any and all houses (not just theirs) and that they need to expect a trade-off.

Very cool BP community reaches so far...Two year work history and US tax returns for FHA.

As far as house-hacking, the way I have seen this work (I have helped multiple clients with this strategy) is purchasing a duplex or a property that has an existing layout that could be CONVERTED into a primary and JADU. 

It varies by geographic location and varies in the same geographic locations over time.

Just make sure your contractor does the job and does not run off with your money, YES this happens MANY times.

According to my lender, if I do bi-weekly I would pay off the mortgage in 21 years as opposed to 30, shaving off 9 years.