There was a time when I bought with absolutely no consideration of the 50% rule.

That was when rates were considerably higher and many lenders and borrowers were getting LIBOR loans lined up.

Use them after considerable due diligence.

Also, bumping requires using a mallet or hammer and considerable force.

Often, the homeowner is not going to be glad to see you and as an agent you must take into serious consideration your security when doing a BPO.

I've applied the shotgun approach in other industries with considerable success--how valid do you believe it would be to bird dog for new prospects for you?

Say it takes 3k with fees to bring current, 5k in repairs (and if trashed that will be low IMHO), you will be lucky to get 2500 option consideration on a 60-80k ARV house (nearer 60k would be my guess) so you have some skin in the game that is never going to appreciate all that much IMHO.

One thing though, if anyone really wants to understand what regulators are up to, you can go to various sites and read the requirements and laws, as well as the methods used, including considerations in examinations in performing their functions.

For the seller, I doubt that there will be any consideration as to financial needs, estate planning, taxation, not to mention any portfolio distributions which would be beyond the capability of most originators.

That's CONSIDERABLY more cash in your pocket than doing one all cash deal.