I would bet a bid of right about $16,500 would get you the property.

Even if you find a creative agent the chances the one representing the seller will be as well and will advise their client to consider that kind of deal is pretty unlikely.Your best bet will be to market directly to sellers.

Huy Thai while its possible there is a scam there my bet is that it’s likely investors trying to implement some kind of seller finance strategy.

The best bet is to make your property more secure then neighboring properties.

If a family member or friend doesn't respect my wishes in a situation like that, all bets are off.I mean, you're offering her two months free rent so she'll move.

Forced appreciation, looking at all the factors including cash flow, making projections from entry to exit and an actionable plan to achieve results, hedging your bets and actively assessing and managing risk, maintaining multiple profitable exit strategies, tailoring your strategy to best take advantage of current market dynamics ... this is not abnormal means, it is not gambling, it is not bragging, and it is not rocket science ... it is all plain vanilla real estate investing 201 and is sound practice in any market, and these methods tailored properly work in any market regardless of whether it is a so called appreciation market or a so called cash flow market and each and every shade of grey in between.

I am uncertain of how they will perform in such an event, so paying down debt is hedging my bets.

You can talk about your past experience, track record, team (experience/track record) and how you plan on sourcing past deals (and how you've performed on past deals) - BUT - I would tread cautiously.Your best bet would be to partner with a more experienced person whom you can leverage.  

I mean just look at the Morris invest threads and the carnage one slick guy did.. and I bet not one person checked this guy out past watching his pod casts.

@KJ Milleri would also bet that the house not rent for 900 per month in Ruskin heights.