One last suggestion is to make it a policy to purchase at a minimum of a 10% discount. 

I recently became aware of a house near my work that MIGHTbe acquired at a significant discount. 

If you're handy, and ready to DIY, you will almost certain get it for less than $300, and you'll have opened the door to discount supplies in the future.  

With inspection if you choose the person you usually can get a discount for the second property when the first does not work out.Everything is generally negotiable to your comfort level.

I was going to offer the bank $5,000 for it, a discount of 80% from  listed price.

One example of a political statement that I would be referring to would be putting something on your web page about supporting our police officers, and possibly even offering a discount off of their rent if you where a landlord. 

And there called REO properties real estate owned  then there was something like the bank has the option to wholesale several properties and sell them to another company (discounted).

We also hold events that are designed for networking outside of the main meeting.Then there is the discount program. 

As you know, inventory is extremely low, making it difficult to buy properties at a discount, but that low inventory makes it relatively easy to sell rehabbed houses or new construction.  

Kind of like buying a note at a discount, you could offer him say $20K.