Hello Everyone,I'm looking for some guidance from any seasoned investors, attorneys, lawyers, wholesalers, flippers, buy & hold, or any active forum members.I am trying to find my first investment deal and what to make sure I'm going about things the best way possible and avoid any rookie mistakes.

They can sell to me on terms that allow me to fix and flip it (subject-to plus some seller carryback with some cash to help them move - the carry back representing equity I can give them back after I flip it - only because they are a friend) - OR - they can continue with wishful thinking and eventually lose the house on the courthouse steps.So you could give your friend 60k if he is willing to take a small amount in cash now and carryback the rest along with a wrap on the existing financing.  

Finally, talk to a lawyer that specializes in construction and real estate law for advice. 

You need a lawyer to structure the transfer properly to avoid a gain.   

find a realtor/lawyer to do it for a flat fee.   

Btw, we are absentee owners living outside of the country.After much back and forth with their lawyers; we decided not to put up a defense and just pay with they are asking about $8500( $2200 hoa and the rest being legal fees).

To me it represents a very simplistic and discrete point of analysis.

Get a realtor or lawyer to present the contract and at settlement the lawyer will basically take the check minus the lien (send to the gas company) and the rest goes to the owner --- so if you pay 20k she'll end up with $3000Now how are you planning on purchasing?

A good real estate lawyer could answer that for you in less than an hour.

How to I gain more confidence in representing a buyer or seller?