I've resorted to using the release method of wholesaling, but of course that works best with private sellers and doesn't work at all with REO's.

I guess I just felt like water in an old basement when it rains heavily obviously doesn't negatively effect the structure of the home since it has likely been wet since 1938 ...and if it is not a living space, why does it matter to a renter?

As long as the structure is sound.

Money paid, regardless of method is retained by the optionor, seller.

I am more comfortable doing the buy and hold method but so far, that hasn't gotten me out of the hole.

And Wendell to answer your question, residential just seems easier to get into, unless one of my mentors like one of the deals I can find for them and somehow structure the deals where i can become an equity partner in the property for my construction services...Carolina, the new mall is off of Balmoral ave, right across the street from the rose not convention center.

Like starting any business, wholesaling will require a marketing strategy, an understand of the process, methods to finding properties to wholesale (that investors will actually want), methods to reach out to investors once properties are under contract, etc.

Just because you can or could do something doesn't mean you should for the sake of razzel dazzle....You don't try force something to make a deal out of every property.The straight forward method here is for you to get a loan to pay off the tax bill, she subordinates the property for collateral for the loan, then you buy it and she finances the balance, but even that is probably too much brain damage, unless there aren't any other deals to be had.

I could be wrong, but nearly every Guru course I have seen posted here has the same method of operation.

Accredited investors are or should be required, few small offices can accomplish that now and the structure needs to be compliant.Where brokers or even partners get in trouble is assigning collateral to a group to secure the funds, someone will be last to recover thier money and if there are insufficient funds, they or someone will lose.As a broker, you really need to be in a position to take any investor out of a deal, you also need to be able to take out the small investors who lack experience as they yell the loudest and it makes an attorney fight harder for the one at a disadvantage.