First issue is that they are not trained to the level I would require to bet thousands of dollars on, secondly I would never trust the assessment of value supplied by a seller.

I suggest you search these types of classes out and advance your skills.The question of being in real estate and at what level is simply up to you.

The largest sector in America makes between $20,000 to $29,000 per year and our poverty level is at around $19,000 per year and this is what they are willing to spend each year on:Eating out $1,483Alcoholic Beverages $247Tobacco $324Entertainment $1,517Let's see $3,571 However, the average person is only willing to spend $95 per year on education!

I would regardless make sure you put a contingency in the AOS that the sale is contingent on getting all required approvals, etc.   

Dear BP Community,I have an interesting issue here: I am very much interested in purchasing a bank's REO foreclosure house but my broker respectfully declined to represent me because the seller wants to use his AOS instead of the typical PAR contract and it takes too long for the seller's broker to respond.

As long as it's level, I wouldn't sweat it.

On a personal level, I have to dig into my cash reserves for the down payment and am worried about it. 

Regarding financing -- is the lending on such a micro level? I

Their communication level is very high - always responding to an email, phone call or text very quickly.  

So now I have a flex living room/ bedroom, a bathroom with a laundry closet, a good sized kitchen on the 1st floor, and a full studio/bedroom/work space on the mezzanine level. I