I appreciate your comments, but you can essentially build net worth through cash flow properties as long as you put the cash flow in the right investments.

Though it does seem like a serious case of impending divorce since she has retained an attorney and he filed paperwork, is there any chance that they forget about it a week from now & forgive each other? 

These guys sell on "draconian" terms and wind up taking the property back in a couple of years, essentially setting up a series of buyers to fail. 

They will ask if you want to expedite the process which means do you want them to finalize the paperwork that day.

It's also not a business for people with little to no capital.Maintenance and watching your expenses are a part of the game.Successful landlords have systems in place to deal with problems that come up and they SCREEN tough as your tenant is essentially your business partner.Another thing, you make your money when you buy correctly... applies even to landlording... certain areas and price points will attract certain tenant quality.

As others say... screening is essential.

short sales DO take forever but its one of those things that once you get it done, you move on and work on more deals, then when the check comes in, its like a nice surprise bonus :)but you essentially run your scenario by the agent (find someone who specializes in short sales though) then the agent should be able to direct you from there.  

(Great way to starting building a realtor-investor relationship)The bank makes the final decision regarding price after they order either a BPO or Appraisal or both depends on the lender.The short sale process takes usually takes 90-120 or longer days depending on the sellers cooperation and how fast the agent works with the bank submitting paperwork received from the seller but ive seen them go 6-12 months :(One warning really try and screen your seller to make sure there not using you the agent to just buy ore time in the property you must take there word on this but hopefully they have good intentions.The uglier the property for me personally I only love properties that look like the guy from lord of the rings (The Precious)Sorry for the lengthy reply just wanted to be thorough.Good luck!

However, RBC will also write a residential mortgage and 5 & 6 unit properties under a certain value (essentially those properties generally deemed to small to be worth the while of their commercial department ... here that value appears to be 600 - 700K, it could be more on the left coast).  

I a wholesaler has a property under contract, can s/he have a realtor handle to paperwork to sell to a traditional buyer?