That will get you closer to the right price point and it will trigger your listing to hit you local MLS "hot sheet" (assuming you have it listed with an agent) and it will also refresh on Zillow and the other online sites.  

Like J had mentioned, a year ago I had a stack of printed out data sheets on various properties that I was considering in Oakland but I was afraid to pull the trigger. 

Furthermore it would seem that any transfer of ownership would trigger a taxable event and the IRS would be very interested in any non-market-value transfer structured to avoid taxes whether inside a family partnership or an arms-length sale.

If possible, I'd like to practice analyzing and evaluating homes while I'm still in my initial education phase and before I'm ready to actually pull the trigger on anything.

Suppose.... you were getting a hot oil massage, idk, just came to mind, and at the door it reads "$85/hr" but once the massage was over she bills you $100 stating there's a $15 materials charge for the hot oil.

Hi James,It's great that you are ready to "pull the trigger" on your first real estate deal.I remember my 1st deal.

Did you end up pulling the trigger on your plan?

Honestly, I'm getting a bit antsy and might pull the trigger on my first purchase sooner.  

Most of the properties we are looking to buy or under 70% ARVWe have talked to some hard money lenders,  specifically Do Hard Money, and are ready to pull the trigger, but we wanted to see what our other options were.What questions should we be asking?

I will be continuing to educate myself before pulling the trigger.