Welcome to BiggerPockets Venu and good luck investing!

This also leads owners to ASSUME simpler is better when it comes to management contracts.

they should be guiding you on what to offer, and what comps say about the value of the property.i would definitely, 100% not try to buy something subject to, and it doesn't sound like the seller would be interested anyway, because in a subject to arrangement, there aren't any "proceeds." 

Trying to be more active. 

I made 2 posts earlier this week that said pretty much the same thing you did.

I’ve been learning a bit on my own and now I’m trying to figure out how to get to that first deal maybe wholesaling or something buy and hold.

Sourcing distressed deals is often slightly different messaging than a more core/turnkey asset that you are paying market rate for.And finally, tangential to my last point: are you actually willing to pay fair prices or are you only looking for "steals"?

If you’re underwriting SFRs, multifamily, or reviewing deals at volume, you should be thinking about how AI and data tools can support your process.You don’t need to be technical.

You could also take the property over subject to and then refinance the existing mortgage after you've completed renovations.

What frequently happens is the lender adds what wouldve been the broker's fee to their own margin and simply makes more on the loan.