This is an estate planning measure to reduce taxes and facilitate an easy property transfer in the event of a death.Also, on REO properties, 99.9% of banks will not accept offers on these properties until they are listed with a real estate agent.

Also, time is a great motivator, the seller has already reduced the price multiple times and a lower offer of $125k may just fly.

Now, I just have to find some tax strategies that help reduce active income tax liabilities.

I should also note that the GC reduced his profit margin to less than 10% on this particular bill, which offset the use of the contingency fund.

It can serve to protect you from people who establish themselves on your property and may reduce your risk from people who walk onto your property, destroy your property or "get hurt" while on your property.While holding land for future development I would advise you to look into the "trespass" laws for your jurisdiction and see if you can post signage like we can.

But there are definitely ways we can reduce them.

(it will reduce your expenses)3) Do you do “dry” closings?

When an investor starts to get CREATIVE which usually means little to no money down and all kinds of off the wall techniques then the odds of closing go way down.For the investor that hits the 1 in 100 miracle home run on a creative deal it is worth it to them but for the broker or agent it's usually just a waste of time.I wouldn't say not having an everyday single agreement is wrong but I would say it greatly reduces your chances of an offer being accepted by a seller.

After all, in their best interest to reduce their risk by these items.Remember that it's not the job of the title company to fix the problems that your deals present.

Here are some links that may better assist you... http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/2013-Standard-Mileage-Rates-Up-1-Cent-per-Mile-for-Business,-Medical-and-Moving http://www.irs.gov/publications/p463/ch04.html#en_US_2012_publink100033930http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc510.html Kudos, Mary