Is this a question you guys encounter on investments, and if so, how do you get as close to a solid answer as possible?

I don't want to give them $3k if this is a scam.

Geothermal wasn't something I considered because I haven't encountered it in my area at all really.

Call lenders local to the property until you encounter one that can spell "continuity of obligation" without the use of a spell checker.Talk to an estate planner, too.

I am trying to become a real estate investor and I am encountering a few issues I am in the military and currently overseas but i would like to invest in my home state but I have no one to look at the property where do I go from here 

The few I've encountered in doing some cursory initial research have had rates higher than the mid 5's you mentioned so your post definitely caught my attention.

Did you encounter any opposition or criticism of their services from an attorney or accountant?

Did you encounter any opposition or criticism of their services from an attorney or accountant?

The Riverside County website is not going to be the answer in most cases, it is the most user unfriendly county website that I have ever encountered. 

But i've also seen a few BP blog posts warning that they are scams...