Double check if he has a mortgage, if its over your offer it might break the deal. 

I checked out the house, made the repair list, passed the 1 or 2% rule - now for the business end and completing contracts.

They advertise 100% cash to close with only $3000.00 down.You need no experience, they perform no credit check, and the only interview I had with them were to answer some questions like “Do you want financial freedom?”

Would also check out your neighbors and recent sales to see what yards they have (or what landscaping, flowers, etc was done). 

I would check your local rental market.

There are many agents out there, but it’s important to choose the right one.https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52724-im-new-to-investing-how-do-i-find-an-investor-friendly-agentI have other blogs that may be helpful here on BP in my personal blog that you can check out.

Does anyone have any idea why an agent will be uninterested in communicating about a property that would result in pretty big commission check?

You might want to check if they can put you on an email list for specific neighborhoods.

You can check and see how much equity is in each from a few of the foreclosure sites.

@John Wallace, check out this thread by Alik Levin, I think it helps...HELOC interest deduction - New Tax Law