The main market factors are supply/demand, property tax rates, insurance rates, property values, and other local economic factors.Some others are, what is your risk tolerance?

Title insurance played a big part in getting reimbursed and proving when the ownership changed hands.

There are a few things I would check before pulling the trigger, the first is the actual value of the house, it seems odd that the market value could be lower but check and see, the other is to make sure there is rental demand.

If they do that cutting commissions doesn't come into play at all.

They are motivated by demand and timing - some banks try to get vacant properties off of their books ASAP and will drop the price regularly until they get bites.

But real estate is a relationship business, so unless you want to make unnecessary enemies (and local RE agents are very quick to make enemies), just learn the rules of the game and keep playing it.Btw...

About a month later some 'we represent downtrodden minorities' organization (may have been the NAACP - I can't remember) sent me threatening letters and then called with various questions that they demanded I answer.

I've been sending to both middle and lower class neighborhoods, playing with different fonts and envelopes, and its been interesting on how the response differs in each neighborhood.Its encouraging to hear that getting mentored from my friend is a good opportunity, I've had close friends telling me not to do it, but its better to listen to people who are experienced with real estate.As far as dialing in the arrangement, we'll be doing it on 3 levels:1.

I have a family, and a demanding full time job.

Thought you were an examiner and understood what the purpose of bank regulatory policy was all about, but either you're playing dumb or you really don't know.Government is necessary in a capitalistic society, it doesn't function efficiently without government.