Worst case you can always ask your end buyer to loan you there money as a transactional loan for 24hrs recorded the first deed and resell it to them keeping the difference.

:)thx all of you who've helped give your time and advice. what i realize now is just how hot our market is here in asheville, which makes finding anything that even comes close to passing the 2% rule very difficult, or just about impossible unless i can find a truly motivated seller. i've noticed on zillow that country records will state when a home is in default. i'm sure there's a lag time there. is there a way to get this information faster?

Very good information, and I love the concept of working with more 'institutional' type tenant organization reps.I had one quick comment about this that perked my attention regarding the discussion during the Fire Round, of making offers direct to banks vs. using a broker. 

Give your money to an established, registered properly organized firm, let them broker for you.

Then you or VA could log into podio give them a call back and record all of the rest of the information that you want from them. 

I would make sure that any you invest in has a track record of years.

So why does the the Agent need my credit report… An eviction report is all that is needed and that is a very inexpensive report to obtain.People can have bad credit and still pay their rent every month.People can have past criminal records and still pay their rent every month.People with a prior eviction could still pay their rent every month.Plus, an eviction report is the only report that’s specific to the rental industry.To me, requesting a Credit Report to Lease a home is just a scam to make extra money for the Agent.

Brokers, law firms, accountants, advisors: they should have a proven track record of professionalism, knowledge, experience and network.

Although Chicago is really tenant-friendly, buy and hold can be a very lucrative strategy if you are diligent and organized. 

He holds the deed and doesn't record it.