There are two different motives when buying a property for residence as oppose to investment.

I found a motivated seller in another state willing to sell her house for what is owed because her husband had to relocate for a job a year ago, and she stayed behind to sell the house.

Which one works better in either/or scenario would depend on factors like how motivated the seller is, what you bring to the table from the standpoint of your background as an investor (flipper vs wholesaler vs buy-and-hold).To answer your original question, being a buy and hold investor and lacking much experience in remodeling, I personally would try negotiating a lower than market price in lieu of an all-cash offer.

Consider starting out with absentee owners opposed to owner occupied (higher motivation generally). 

You can def buy out of MLS, but it generally takes making a lot of offers and stumbling onto a motivated bank. 

Direct mail to find motivated sellers is great.  

If I find a motivated seller say from an advertisement that wants to sell their home because they missed tax payments and mortgage payments...Do I include that the buyer of the property will be covering these costs in the purchase contract or is it just something that is commonly known and does not need be included?

If I find a motivated seller say from an advertisement that wants to sell their home because they missed tax payments and mortgage payments...Do I include that the buyer of the property will be covering these costs in the purchase contract or is it just something that is commonly known and does not need be included?

They used a lot of motivational and testimonials tactics and promises of tools they will provide to get you going in the RE Investment business if you go to their 3 day workshop for a $2000 fee.

I spoke to the owner today who seems pretty motivated, albeit unsophisticated in matters of valuation. 25% of the units are unoccupied.