Matt I'm really sorry that you're having trouble and I be happy to talk to you on the phoneStaying out of trouble with the real estate commission has to do with full disclosure to the seller and if you're acting agent for you can list it, if you're not acting agent for you can act as a principal, and you can have both those positions in the same conversation when you have a listing appointmentIf seller has a low equity deal listing and they bring cash to closing is one choice, and also is you can offer to buy the property on a wrap or subject to offer that's another choice, and lastly you could facilitate to a wrap buyer for a fee a wraparound mortgage saleNow I will tell you this:  that some brokers don't like anything creative.

Having tenants do odd jobs, such as clean-up, grass-cutting, or landscaping as a way to reduce rent may be construed as “consideration” and potentially subject you to carrying WC insurance.

I live in a very HOT market in Denver.

"...this post-apocalyptic chic space {in the heart of Oakland's hipster mecca Temescal} has a lot of incredible natural light!"
.."Chances are you'll have to overbid. "I like to browse Craigslist for any sweet deals,...

Looking at some of the recent stats in the 19th ward, it looks like there is a pent up demand for multi units.  Perhaps it is just the surge of the spring market, or perhaps its an indicator of values on the rise.  If...

I'd look at Philadelphia (low taxes) and Trenton (higher taxes) for some good opportunities in hot markets.

But it does add up if he has done 8 to 10 of them.IN the day when I used to buy Sherriff sales in Oregon with the 6 month right of redemption if the house was vacant and abaondoned I did the same thing I went in and rehabbed it during the 6 month period so when I got my sherrifs deed I could sell right away.Now In our market with Redemption rights a hot commodity I would only risk it with a 20k rehab and under. something that we could lose and just chuckle about it.

So places like Texas , Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, etc. are hot for growth.The rust belt states the outlying areas that are dying have declining populations, high unemployment, more people daily jumping onto government assistance programs.

As stated in my subject line, My name is Walter I'm 33 years old and I'm blessed to have a beautiful wife who shares the same goal as me as we both are looking to become full time real estate investors.  

Welcome to BP @Ronald BurgessBe careful, all the neighborhoods you listed are in "hot" parts of the city, and there are a lot of "deals" out there pricing in the expected appreciation already.