When I initially started investing, my goal was to generate enough cash flow to quit my day job while I was young enough to enjoy it, not to "win the real estate lottery".  

If you can find a reasonable way to get it permitted, you just built instant equity in the deal.

If your property tax attorney only charges if they win a reduction then it seems like a no brainer to let someone else do it that does it day in and day out.

You don't have to hit the reserve to win, I won one last year without hitting the reserve.Good luck

It's a small win, but something resonated with me.

It would have been an instant red flag if someone would've asked me to just send a copy of them or something of that nature.

If you're looking to hire repairs and take every penny back out when you refi you'd likely have to get an even steeper discount than 30% ... and in NoCo people know the market is hot and aren't willing to part with that much equity unless the circumstances are dire and you can provide a win-win scenario (quick close if that's what they need, all cash, etc.). 

Who wins out?

Go into the conversation with the stated goal of coming to a win-win agreement, and be creative in finding ways to make the owner happy while getting what you want. 

No entity can stop you from being sued, they just make it more difficult for someone to win.