(I haven't sleep much this week because I have been reading all thing REI) Good luck and have fun!

@Ned Carey - I have set up "Baltimore" as a keyword - is that sufficient or does it need to be more specific?

You can plan for future leases, but what you have in place now is what will determine who is responsible for what.Lastly, the beds may not be the source of these insects; beds just happen to be their preferred hangout because there will be a sleeping food supply there for them.

Having integrity is a good business strategy in addition to helping you sleep well at night.I agree with Steve - maybe an installment sale might satisfy her needs without you having to "fudge" the numbers.

I also always want to see strong positive cash flow so if I (or my family should something happen to me) can simply sit on the property if it won't sell and let it carry itself without worry of unforeseen expenses or changes in occupancy, etc.Be careful, sleep on the deal a few nights, and don't talk yourself into a bad deal.

My state (Indiana) just made it easier for city and town officials to give property to nonprofits when it has been listed as part of a tax lien sale and did not get sufficient bids.

Larger office towers owned by institutional investors are usually a little different than the mom & pop garden-style office buildings, but here are some basics:Negotiate vendor contracts / oversee vendor operations (security, maintenance, janitorial, parking, landscaping, etc)Oversee TA's/TI'sTenant interaction (usually complaints, not usually compliments)Report to ownershipWork with accounting on monthly financials and rent collectionsWork with legal on delinquencies, evictions, disagreements with tenants on lease obligationsLeasing and renewals - sometimes done by a professional leasing agent, sometimes done by the property managerOccasional/unusual stuff like hosting tenant events, putting up holiday decorations, fire drills, construction defect lawsuits, vandalism, homeless people sleeping on the property, etc ...

Bryan H.We made an offer on an REO last week (before it was even listed ... my carpenter happened to be doing a job across the street and saw the agent put the lock-box on the house) ... a clean offer, 2K over ask.After our 72hr window had expired, I pushed the selling agent and learned they had accepted another offer - with financing and inspection conditions - and we are sitting on the bench.I am only guessing the other offer must have been sufficiently greater than ours that greed overtook convenience.This will be the third REO in the past two months where we've been in second seat ... this time, being first in the door and over ask, I was certain we would be accepted or countered.I'm interested in reading about your, and others, experiences with REOs as I'm finding dealing with the banks frustratingly inconsistent.

Don't know if probate data is online in your area sufficient to create a mailing list.

I'm hoping to attain a portfolio of property that will provide sufficient income to grow old with grace.