Things will almost always be faster direct to seller (less middlemen) but common decorum is communicate through the agent.

Is pet rent common in your area? 

Are bidding fees common with for new builds?

@Eric JonesMy parents have a condo at Irvin Commons which has been a nice investment.

Someone told me I'd become a tenants in common with the HELOC while the other 3 would remain as joint tenants. 

REI is directly tied to the health of the market as a whole. 

Lenders commonly just want to dispose of the asset and not deal with the liens. 

Sounds like you would have lost money on this deal had you gone for it.This situation is common.

Plymouth Rd in North Apopka near the Lake Co line and another client's nearly completed flip off Ocoee Apopka near the new Advent Health Hospital campus.

This is a common area for first time buyers to ask about and I am going to recommend against this....but in a good way.When we buy an investment property from a wholesaler....that property might be anywhere.