We obviously sit on the opposite sides of the table, @Sean H., but our goals are the same: to do deals safely, over and over, and to each make money.

So if you could negotiate some short sale prices, you may be able to bring some real value to the table to make money.If you want to think outside the box a little, a couple of things I would look into would be property management and/or even becoming a realtor.

I'm picturing purple velvet robes, in a castle somewhere with candles and monks singing Gregorian chants as background music.And of course the stock options, ping pong tables in the BP lounge, and free beer Fridays are nice perks too.

Our realtor was a PM for many years before he was a realtor, I feel that he brings a lot to the table to help us figure out what tenants want/ need/ expect in a rental property.

May concepts such as dual-tracking are already on the federal table from Dobb-Frank.

You might be able to put the title of a car, or RV, or even another property on the table if you don't fulfill the requirements of the note.If the property needs any repairs you can use your skills, if you have any, to compensate for that down payment with the agreement that the price is negotiated to a better price.

Get a decent card table and 4 chairs, drape a table cloth over it.

The seller says that he has an offer on the table for 3 million.

For someone to mentor you have have to bring something to the table.

So, if you buy with, say, a 3.5% down FHA loan, and then have to sell, you'll have to bring your "deferred down payment" to the table to sell.Rentals are, to a large extent, a cash-on-cash return game.