totally off topic but when I was selling a house I had it listed at 400k. i got an offer with an EM check for $400. its so funny because I took the  check,  shredded it up, put it on the photocopier and made a picture of the shredded up the check.  

They should have asked to photocopy the passport + visa for their records.

As a matter of business practice, we photocopy every check we receive as part of our daily deposit.

Is there a stip in the contract that gives a photo copy of the contract the same effect as the original?

Then I put them on the copier and get a photocopy of several on a page.

(Carefully photocopied)  If you don't mind sharing when you drive for dollars how do you get a hold of the interested property's owner now if you are not knocking? 

If becoming a commercial agent is too competitive, go work for one, go intern for one, drive them around, photocopy paperwork for them etc.

At the very least write a letter to the seller outlining your offer and justification.And as mentioned in a different post by @Jay Hinrichs have a photocopy of a cashiers check for the offer amount.Keep in mind that when submitting an offer on a listed property that using the Listing Agent is always your best option.

I have received handwritten letters before however they were not address specific and you could tell they were simply photocopied and dropped on every door on my block.

You can make photocopies of the pages that show 3 different parties living there, with notation of the year and that will be proof that it was a triplex at that time.