But an extra month of vacancy will cost less than an eviction and bad tenant. 

They are already hard enough to find on the MLS.I would have loved to buy a house last year but I was a job hopper for many years after college so unfortunately no one will lend to me until I can show them 2 years of consistent self employment income from my business.   

Don't you want the extra cash flow of a 3rd apartment? 

I too believe it is getting harder and harder to find the people you really need to consistently get the results you need to keep losses down in small-scale fix-and-flip and buy-and-hold operations like ours.Joe, I too have noticed the almost total lack of forum postings on how the non-self-managed are able to get actual quality work done instead of the illusion of it.

If you are consistent with learning real estate over the next 4-6 months, you’ll be ready to purchase your first (or next) property in NO TIME!

;)I will try a postcard next month, and see if keeping consistent contact and message proves effective in the future.

Personally, when I go on an appointment, I always carry extra forms such as the PSA, Addendums, Options, etc.

Unlike a HELOC, your minimum monthly payment will remain consistent.  

@Joe Hines that is what I’m going to start doing- tack a few extra percent on when running numbers.

@mike @Mike Cumbie I've been in this position before and would offer to put down some silly extra EMD to get the seller to stay in contract.