On top of self development in REI, you should also devote time on motivation and successful habits.Notable people and workings are: Earl Nightingale (20 minutes that can change your life), Les Brown (know your purpose), Napoleon Hill (Think and Grow Rich), Grant Cardone (10X), Eric Thomas (know your why), CT Fletcher (obsessed), Zig Ziglar, and on and on and on.

I would like to be certain that I have the ability to make the payments etc. on a property that remained vacant for a few months.Really like that strategy though. 

Because of the low down payment, you can then use the remaining funds to invest in other properties.

She does seem like a motivated seller, and even stated "I'm not looking for much money from it, I'm just trying to get it off my hands." 

Here are the details...I am trying to get an apartment under contract in Madison Tn (10 minute drive from downtown Nashville) and the seller definitely has motivation to sale. 14 units - 10 1/1 and 4 2/1She currently only has 9 units (all 1/1) rented out and she lives in the last 1/1She states she doesn't have any of the 2/1 rented because she requires two months down to move in.Rent rolls (checked the leases and is accurate and market average)1/1 - $650 a month2/1 - $750 a monthCurrent rent roll a month - 5,850Monthly expenses..Sewer - 112Storm - 40Waste/ trash - 76NES - 90Water - 80Gardening - 50Hazard Insurance - 333Taxes - 516I used an 8% cap rate to get my offer price at 569,125Does this seem about right to everyone?

I'm building my list via driving for dollars and will send postcards to find the motivated sellers.

I know this will take time and a lot of hard work, but I am motivated and committed to succeed for me and for my family.  

I have found a new motivation and I'm ready for any challenges. 

They are only trying to get out of option contract and trying to bully you or scare you.you can still evict your tenants for not paying the rent,but the option contract will remain until the 3 years is up.The only thing for you to check is if your option contract can or can not be assigned by the tenant. 

:)thx all of you who've helped give your time and advice. what i realize now is just how hot our market is here in asheville, which makes finding anything that even comes close to passing the 2% rule very difficult, or just about impossible unless i can find a truly motivated seller. i've noticed on zillow that country records will state when a home is in default. i'm sure there's a lag time there. is there a way to get this information faster?