Interestingly, throughout the process the Auction.com reps would repeatedly assure me that this was outside the norm, but I suspect that's not exactly true.I think that what bothers me the most is the lack of transparency in the process.I can't help but wonder if Auction.com's business model is essentially getting a buyer under contract then seeing if the seller's interested the contract - somewhat like wholesaling in reverse.

We have often had workers well-known to us, or others whom we trust, just stay in a property while it's being repaired, just to keep the vandals/thieves away.I don't understand how a good property manager could let this happen, but then again, our model is nothing more than 20 minutes away, and we manage it ourselves, for just that reason!

So far here is my progress, having started less than a week ago:- Initiate a search with Brad - He is a licensed agent as well as an investor- Visit a couple distressed properties in southern Columbus- Call several hard money lenders - set up meetings accordingly- Call a few inspectors - I have one ready to visit a property once I close- Call GCs - I have one GC who seems to be a good fit although I expect the renovation to be very challenging- Made a deal analysis excel sheet for calculating my offers (I prefer making my own)- I added a "Factor of Safety" for my renovation time and cost- With time and experience, I'll hopefully be able to adjust these- Accepted the fact that this is going to be very difficult with many obstacles to overcomeThroughout this process, any advice, critiques, etc. would be very much appreciated.

Just recently there was an agent on these forums who wasnt working as an agent, just had it for his own purposes, and he ended up wiring a crap ton of money out of the country to some scammers because he wasnt aware of the safety protocols that a full time agent would have been aware of. 

Schools, Safety, getting into the city relatively easily with or without a car and ideally a diverse crowd of people are important factors for us. 

Not a bad place to start but after 1 or 2 I would venture into more traditional model. I

My funding strategy is via FHA loan although I'm guessing I can't get a fixer-upper because of the safety regulations of FHA's?

Expecting people to flee to safety via an extremely narrow space between two buildings (which I presume was not left there for that intended purpose) really a viable escape route?

My funding strategy is via FHA loan although I'm guessing I can't get a fixer-upper because of the safety regulations of FHA's?

However, if the tenant has a recent arrest for specific issues threatening the safety of the complex, I'm thinking you can evict without much notice for the safety of the other tenants.