there needs to be an arms length transaction, having the old owner might show signs of not obeying those rules,

I personally would prefer to do it acting as a principle in the transaction as part of my investing program but your agreement with your broker may have different requirements.

This is true, but UDFI comes into play on many transactions.  

We had residents that chain smoked three packs a day, indoors, while hooked to an oxygen tank.  

But this area lacks a major grocery store, movie theater, chain restaurant, etc.  

They seemed pretty open to creative ideas, including cross-collateralization to allow me to purchase my next property with relatively little out of pocket.Have you considered a blanket loan to wrap all your properties under one loan?

You never know, we might even cross paths!

Also, when the page loads the next chain of posts, it oftentimes will duplicate the last few posts on the refresh.

my question(s) are about the general actual transaction of the deal...say for finding a motivated seller, making an offer and buying the property.1) would you guys recommend i have an agent on board to do these types of deals? 

Any agreement that the seller and I would make outside of the sales transaction would not be considered when doing the appraisal...the appraiser is looking at sales comps and income.