How do I express in words urgency and a time frame for wanting to get a deal done?

Happens all the time and not worth the risk.If the urgency is not great, and you can wait, then you can call a few of the larger hard money lenders in your area and ask if they fund their loans with investors.

For me this was difficult when I had certain questions and/or the need for urgency.

It creates a sense of urgency for the prospective tenant when they see multiple people there at the same time.

I also think one of the biggest weaknesses of PMs in the Columbia market (and maybe everywhere) is the lack of urgency of renting properties.

For vacant homes priced right in a good neighborhood, setting up an advertised open house the first weekend of listing, in my opinion, generates even more sense of urgency for buyers who are waiting for a house in that area to pop up.  

I did this for two reasons: to create a sense of urgency, and also because I live 45 miles south of the rental.

1 More retail buyers move during the spring over ever other season2 More buyers mean more competition for purchasing investment properties.3 Investors need to look for deals that retail buyers are overlooking.Most investors will tell you bluntly: the key to success in real estate investing is to not put too much stock in “the rules.”Time over time we see the same mistakes with investors: Urgency and greed is not a sustainable investing strategy habit.

You can try it and be mindful of up-sells urgency call to actions like all marketing has (only 3 seats, for 2 hours only, level 2 is only $1500). 

I'd take Jesse's advice with regards to having urgency for getting into deals...