And I'm glad this is the internet and you can't actually turn to us and say "Here, smell this"But sometimes you just have to share about an experience to get over the trauma!

Concentrating mostly on probate, some calls came in that I put offers on but no takers.

I too have a financial planning background and while I'm a big advocate of seller financing, it's not always the best way to go.I didn't mention this before as I didn't concentrate on the value of the home, but if that is a close valuation I doubt SF is a viable option really, a buyer may need to go that route but usually those buying at that price level are not simple minded with bad credit, I'd think most would be more astute and certainly not first time homebuyers or new to business dealings.It also sounds like there is reluctance in selling, trying to capture future appreciation.

That said, you will have greater capital contribution and the price of being wrong will be higher in a concentrated bet.

I'm getting mixed messages regarding finding deals on the internet.

Jump on the internet and search for a few of the local ones and give them a call.

How concentrated are their holdings and how much exposure to RE and leverage?

I see a lot of folks get defrauded by internet or mail solicitations.

Today, with the internet, I assume a lot of the screening process for both tenants (credit and criminal check, etc.) and contractors (Angie's List, etc.) can be done long-distance, and easily.

Hey @Jeff RiberThe internet does seem to shrink things a bit. :) I found the site by chance and decided to make a time investment here.