I work with tons of investors, both local and out of state and 1 very common problem I see that is holding new investors back from getting a deal is 1 simple thing... getting stuck on the list price.

Any insights from your experience, whether positive or negative, would be greatly appreciated.The attached link explains the current situation with the Detroit Housing Commission (DHC), highlighting that they are severely understaffed and have limited communication with both tenants and landlords.

simple - treat it like any other real estate closing. you go through attorneys and title companies. 

It’s a good idea to confirm you have a path to record title in a way that’s financeable, even though this isn’t a standard fee-simple sale.The big question is whether it’s reasonable to pay a market-rate price when you’re not actually scooping up the land.

Make sure you understand their timeline for funding—speed can be crucial for flips—and their experience with similar projects.Look for a lender with clear communication, transparency, and flexibility.

Which is to say any attempts beyond the method of communication in the profile are likely to end up convincing the landlord you and your friend would be a pain in the butt as tenants. 

That could be as simple as changing the description to highlight how close your units are to the refinery as opposed to just the college.

Does someone have a simple form to do this? 

Regularly communicate with them to stay updated on progress and address any issues promptly.

You could supliment this by creating a simple spreadsheet to track your total cash flow, including your mortgage and 401k loan payments.