Would love to know any tips/tricks that you might have in evaluating properties.

The trick would be to leave an 1/8" gap between new and existing work that would be caulked, then painted over.Just a thought, Good Luck!

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````1. questions to ask on the phone (Dont Be a 1 Trick Pony, Be a Transaction Engineer)MOTIVATED SELLER - QUESTIONNAIRE CHECKLISTThe following is a list of sample questions you should ask a seller.

The trick is going to be what it does to the budget. 

That will give you a sense for the variation in rents and allow you to plan the next phase for optimal returns.If all of your units are pretty much the same, here's another trick: Try varying the renovation a bit (eg different colors, flooring, etc.).

I good advertising trick is to place multiple ads at different price points and when prospects call ask what rent amount they seen online.

One trick with the assessor database is if the number is a really uncommon number say 3011 for instance I just type that in and only maybe half a page of results pop up if that.I can find the address quick that way.

I have gotten a pretty good response and signed several deals from craigslist ads.The trick is to post consistently several times daily.

Any extra hints or tips or tricks are also welcomed!

The trick to make it appear as strong as cash offers is the following:Check the box that selects the financing is Non Contingent to close.Second, place verbiage in the contract that states that the lender has no appraisal or conditions necessary to close.If you are capable of it, also show POF for full amount of purchase and state in contract that in any event lender does not fund, you will close with cash.Lastly, write a cover letter explaining that though your offer includes financing, the it is non contingent, it is not institutional but private funding, and if possible (true), state you have closed on prior deals with said lender without a hitch.All of this together will not make your offer equal to cash, but damn close to it.