As far as whether to approach them with or without an agent - approaching them directly without an agent can save the seller probably 2.5-3% of fees, which give you some room to negotiate on the price, but you need to be confident that you are capable of evaluating the property value, estimating on the amount of work that is needed, knowing how to negotiate/ structure the deal, and navigating the closing process.

@Nate McCarthy I think this could be a great opportunity if approached thoughtfully.

I’ve been exploring buy and hold opportunities in my area, and I recently came across a situation I’d like some advice on.I’ve come across a property in my area that I’m very interested in, but I want to make sure I approach the situation the right way.

Here are a few strategies to consider for funding a down payment:Partnering: Like Gregory mentioned, finding a partner who can contribute to the down payment in exchange for equity or a profit share is a solid option.HELOC or Cash-Out Refi: If you have equity in your home or another property, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or cash-out refinance can provide the funds you need.Private Money: Reach out to friends, family, or private investors who may be interested in lending you the down payment with a promissory note.Seller Second: In some cases, the seller might agree to finance a portion of the down payment as a second mortgage.Live Frugally and Save: It takes time, but reducing expenses and setting aside funds from your income is a tried-and-true method.The right approach depends on your situation and deal structure, but a mix of creativity and resourcefulness can go a long way.

My approach is to take a few minutes per quarter and make sure it is accurate by manually checking my true competition and adjustmenting prices accordingly. 

A reliable lender can fund a loan within days, this opens the door to countless more deals allowing you to get the best possible price. 

McElhannon: I'm curious on peoples go to approach to secure financing for an investment property - use a broker? 

When it comes to assessing maintenance costs, one of the best approaches is to request itemized breakdowns for larger repairs.

They have cost my business tens of thousands of dollars and countless wasted hours of follow ups and missed opportunities.

These methods include: Detailed Engineering Cost ApproachDetailed Engineering Cost Estimate ApproachSurvey or Letter ApproachResidual Estimation ApproachSampling or Modeling ApproachExperience or “Rule of Thumb” ApproachIt’s important to understand the differences between the approaches including which one best fits your property and the reliability of each approach.DETAILED ENGINEERING COST APPROACHThis approach compiles the costs from construction and accounting reports to build a report.