Some areas are level, some increasing slightly, others are declining, and others are sinking.Just my $.02

They keep coming back with more hang ups, like “subject property value has increased more than 5% in less than 90 days and requires a detailed breakdown of all improvements with the associated costs and may require a second full appraisal.†Does anyone have any thought or ideas on this?

I think I see what you are saying....as my rents increase and the principal is paid down my spread increases, thus the risk is minimized.

For obvious reasons they like long contracts upto 5yrs.You can certainly negotiate the agreement to increase the % of revenue in your favor.

How can you sweeten an offer to make it more attractive to the seller, other than increasing the price?

•Your odds of success increase when you choose large population centers and remain in the market constantly on the lookout for your type of deal.

In essence, saying that you can only improve so much before you reach a point where, for every dollar you spend, you will receive less of that same dollar back when you sell.A good rule of thumb to use is to try to get at least two dollars of increased value for every dollar you spend.

Make certain that whatever income you derive covers your costs of owning the property, plus a profit.Check to see whether the value of other area properties have increased or decreased in the past five years.

As an individual investor, this down payment would still be pretty steep for you however, today, many residential investors are already joining and forming Investment clubs to increase and enhance their purchasing power.

Owner gave me a WD and I started making the payments of $368.41 on the 1st mortgage & $130.88 on the 2nd mortgage.I sold the property for $89,900 on contract for Deed in 60 days $3,500 down & $604.12 @7 1/2% for 30 years My Return: Paid -$998.58 Down payment +$3,500 = $2,501.42 (Half to owner) Payment =$499.29 * Contract Payment =$604.12 * Positive cash flow $104.83 (Half to owner) In my pocket $252.13 up front & $52.42 per month x30 year = $18,869Why Would A Seller Sell To Me - The seller was motivated I found his pain and provide him the best solution I actually increase his credit score I gave him $1,250 cash in pocket I make all his payments I send him a check once a year for $629You still can profit on deals that have no equity by knowing what the average rents are in the area and if they exceed the mortgage payment, you can great a positive cash flow.I did this deal on a property that had a retail value of 497k in California with an appraised value of 562k and the monthly payment was $3,426.31 and she owed 510k and the average rent's in the area pulled $4,750 and it cost me $10, 800 to bring her current and I gave her another $5,000 for the deed. $10,800 to bring current $5,000 for the deed $5,700 for carpet and paint $750 for other costTotal out of pocket $22,250 to take control of a 500k plus property based on appraised valueI did a lease option for 5 years at a lease option purchase price for $549,000 with 25k down and $4,500 a month with 25k towards the purchase and $500 a month credit towards the purchase of the home.