Particularly to the applicant who "sets the bar" (the one in the first 1/e that scores the highest): If they applied later (or were considered later), they'd have gotten the place, but instead get a rejection letter.

I see a lot of people on the forum talking about appreciation and I know there is a thread on appreciation but I don't want my question to get lost in the mix.

If you are a Colleague with anyone that has NOT posted in the thread, and you want them to see your post, hold down the shift key, type the @ and the first 4 letters of their First or Last Name.

If they (developers, almost certainly, not the city) are building "new urban" style mixed use buildings and that is something desirable in your area, this will have a very positive effect on your property.  

If you closed your first deal because one of the sellers called you on your letter, then you have a confirmation that at least sometimes it works!

Most private owners are not going to want to take the risk of financing because the foreclosure process is oftentimes more complex and longer than the eviction process and most do not even want to deal with being a landlord which is why they are selling.That being said, some people are naive enough to take whatever offer comes to them if they have been waiting around long enough and the person making the offer attempts to document why they would make a great person to finance to.I would probably also offer to pay interest (5-10% fixed) and show documentation of work history, rental history, taxes, a handwritten personal letter of interest and motivation for wanting to purchase the house and anything else.

Ideally, you'll want to negotiate all the salient terms of an agreement via informal communication and letters of intent, then bring your attorney in to draft the documentation. 

Hello BP members,I have my first of 2 call backs from my yellow letter campaign.

We are looking for possible other creative financing and possibly other partner investors or buyer investors that don't mind holding the property for rent income.UPDATE: I just dug up the Cook County Assessors letter from Mid April 2014 stating Estimated Fair Market Value at $358K , 2013 at $393K and 2012 at $393KThe 495K is from mortgage paperwork we found as well as pre foreclosure website search, listed that price as well.

If you are a Colleague with anyone that has NOT posted in the thread, and you want them to see your post, hold down the shift key, type the @ and the first 4 letters of their First or Last Name.