If you're open to the east coast Fall River, MA is a great emerging market to invest in.

If it falls through, you may find it helpful to sell with an agent.

I'm just getting into the same area, and I'm curious if there are better deals late summer and fall?

I'm planning to approach the owner's widow after I closed, letting her know about the ivy and asking her to hire someone to cut off the ivy, as the trees would fall onto my house, if they lose the fight. 

This is clearly beneficial to the seller as it allows potential buyers to see that the house may be still available if the present offer falls through.  

Do all that each day or couple times a week and you will find that deals just fall in your lap.  

Brockton and Attleboro fall into the same category for me.  

but as prices rise commission usually fall. 

Why do we go to Gurus and fall for these "Get rich quick" schemes?

This would fall under doing your due diligence before buying a property.