Will our consideration and amount increase if we wait to apply for it after reducing our debt load some or does it mostly depend on the value of our home vs what is owed?

Buying houses at a discount is about saving a person time or reducing their stress.

Lower oil cost should reduce input cost of almost everything.

They tend to promise to reduce a person's debt for a fee, rather than the person just taking on the responsibility and working through it herself.  

However I have been told that while technically possible, it is in actuality quite rare, and they likely won't care.For the record, my lender is a small-town bank that holds their portfolios, NOT sell them.My goal is to reduce overhead.

I've checked public records and called the bank that's listed as the owner a couple of times but nobody has any information.  

I did this at the beginning , I took courses on how to communicate with people , and public speaking as well.

The house is public water and public sewer, if that's make a difference.  

This will reduce risk of vacancies during the slow months.  

Any one have suggestions on how to work with the consultant/contractor to reduce expenses?