Watch for power company energy rebates and take advantage of getting a discount when they come available.

Unless you think this MFG is severely discounted this doesn't seem like one I would pursue.

What many people lack is finding deals with enough of a discount worth doing.  

We got a good discount since there weren't that many showings due to the 2%, my clients pay me the difference up to the 3%, further discounting his offer by that 1%.....worked out good for us, probably not so good for the seller.  

I think at the time we were entering the slower winter months, and buyers probably were more willing to take discounts because less buyers were looking. 

which takes you to full service broker or discount broker. 

I would still buy distressed property at a discount (which is what my properties were when I bought them), not turnkey property at retail (which is what my properties are today if they were to go on the market) ... so in that regard no I would not necessarily buy the exact properties I own in the exact condition that I own them today ... if you took the transaction costs and capital gains taxes that it would cost me if I sold, and subtracted that from the purchase price, heck yes I would buy them ... that is the real comparison and why I hold them. 

I know there is a big risk associated, but with a big enough discount is it still worth pursuing?

Don't discount the cost of cash in this transaction (something we all are tempted to do).  

Offer a $20-30 discount on rent individually or $100-150 discount collectively on rent if a group of students decide to lease together (that way you won't have strangers living together but people who are comfortable living with friends).