It's all about supply and demand, and currently there is way less supply than demand.Further, if you end up buying one of these through Hubzu or something (quite common), be prepared to pay a 4.5% buyer premium on top of your purchase price.

I find that buyers have to be more creative on what they are  wanting out of a property and to think about alignment with areas that will turn over and bring land prices up.

Can you recommend someone who has experience working with investors and is willing to work with a long distance buyer?

Just, hunting for that "thing" that pushing me over the fence. 

Net migration is due to increase in the next couple of years and tougher mortgage rules have forced potential first-time buyers to stay in the rental market.

The unit in question is dropping in price due to the fact that all potential buyers are using the same criteria.

As a Buyer I’ve been the beneficiary of low appraisals on bank sales where they have the original square footage listed in the appraisal because, as she mentioned, they almost always go by public records. 

It depends on a variety of factors if you sell with a realtor that will be about 6% gone if you have prepayment penalties on a loan that is something to consider if a buyer asks you to pay for closing costs that could be another several thousand dollars. 

Not w/all these cash buyers in our neck of the woods!

If I don't advertise the house and make it clear to the seller that I am assigning the contract to an end buyer, then I believe that it is legal.