I also think that some people are simply looking at the commission rather than provide true value for the principle.

Of course the longer you put off paying off the debt, the more the debt will cost (accrued interest with no principle paydown). 

We found a lender who doesn't require we put our own money in and the cash flow from the property pays down the investor principle while we pay them interest each month.

Principles of Real Estate Syndication by Samuel Freshman is really goodAlso it’s a Whole New Business by Gene Trowbridge The Northstar Real Estate Conference in April in Minneapolis will have quite a few speakers talking about syndication 

I'm hoping this broader question yields some general principles that are widely applicable.  

Any gentrification in sight?

I commend you for sticking to your principles and refusing to do business with someone too disrespectful to even meet with you.

Almost hate to say it, because that's our most active hunting ground.There were a couple of developers that were buying any empty lot in sight and that drove up the land values substantially. 

For those who have purchased foreclosure single family residences, sight unseen, what are some of the most typical repair surprises you’ve encountered (beyond what you expected) and what % of the time did those surprises end up making the deal unprofitable?

Let’s say your net rent is $250 per door month... that converts to $48K per year, which is just enough to cover the principle and interest payments.... even without renovation....