You sound like you understand the business side of things as well as the customer service and quality sides.

It seems to work best with the lower priced rentals, as the NY Times appears to appeal more to the higher end customer.

I used to… But over the last 3 years or so too many people show up to bid… Not that I can’t handle the competition, but these people would show up and just pay stupid prices for the houses…It just got to a point where the time chasing the houses and going to the sales just to watch them cancel or for someone to pay $20k more than I was willing to was just not worth the effort…In the good ol days… I could show up and on a good day 0-3 people would be there to bid… Last I went, they were attracting crowds of 50 or more people… In addition, with all the investors, foreclosure help services, realtors, loan officers, and attorneys marketing to people in foreclosure, many never make it to the steps…I may go again soon just to see what it is like today… My guess is that not as many people go now as lender workouts and short sales have became so popular.

Any input or advice as to what you would like to see in a listing package (so far for a flat fee of $199.00 the listing goes on MLS, I provide, present, and deliver paperwork/offers in person, meet the customer in person, and provide usage of trust account for earnest money) would be appreciated.

I have done 4 rehabs in total and would like to do many more but my hands are tied by the banks.I own a construction company that is licensed and did this specifically for these rehabs (but we also have customers as well)Hard money is too expensive.

They used a custom sized indoor storm window that was a friction fit affair.

Yeah i think what you need to figure out is your cashflow once you rent out the other space for 1200.I know that the condo is price is whats luring you in so much but theres some big points you got to look at like how much is it expected to increase (i find condos don't appreciate as much and "condos" have less customers then conventional homes)Of course i dont know you area and it may be a good chance but if i were from the outside giving you advice, id say try to find a better deal on a SFH or duplex or so.....BUT also another important point to mention would be with the condo, if the condos price is actually a lot more ie 120/130k maybe get it, rent it out for a year (could take care of you living for even less lol) AND will make you some money if you sell it in a year and then take that money as well as money you try and save and then you could get another property thats better for you in the long run.

This doesn't seem to be a popular opinion on this thread, but it seems like the selling agent messed up in this transaction as much as the seller.This community is unusually savvy regarding real estate laws and customs, so I'd approach this from what any of us should expect from a typical seller of a home.

I would love to try to get the cheaper one at a lower price and do a full renovation which would allow me to custom the unit as I want but I'm resistant because I've heard horror stories from people who did renovation loans where it took a ridiculously long time or the quality of the final work was poor. 

You can set custom date rules and just keep changing it so that it wont allow for 1 night gaps.