I'm also interested in creative financing to reduce our cost to leverage our money.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/16/us-marke...Aren't energy prices a real "bear" to try and figure out!? 

Prior to 1 year they will only use the most recent purchase price, meaning you would still have to keep 20% in until 1 year.I have heard that some smaller banks will reduce this to 6 months, but I have not found one yet...

I would think that the person who bought it would see the value in staying put.I am reducing the value of the business because I want to sell it quickly, but I want to keep the building occupied and making money on the rents.How would I structure a deal that keeps them in the building?

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.

I wish that energy could be focused into something positive.

But there are definitely ways we can reduce them.