I'm currently a branch manager at a bank...I want some stars to align (aka I'm getting married later this year), etc before I officially take the leap as a real estate investor but I still want to get as much out of it all as I can.

Its official.

I sent him a note the next day and told him that I was not going to move forward with the deal, that I would like my deposit back and if he thought that there was some "damages" he could deduct from my deposit a "probably day-rent" from the day I signed the application to the day I withdraw officially.

Can you just print out the contract from your computer or does it have to be on an official form?

The guy I spoke to was one of several "greeters" in the lobby.

In my opinion, a good speaker is a local speaker: a member from our own REIA; a local Section 8 official; the local nuisance officer; a local politician, etc.

No it was no typo, my triplex is officially a duplex, but the basement of the lower unit where I live has been outfitted as a bachelor pad, so it's got it's own bathroom, small kitchen, stone fireplace, and a nice shiny wood floor.

There is no aspirin bill because of evictions or any other aspect of the business (except maybe dealing with city officials).

Some title agents will want the deed to be officially recorded before they will close you (which could take up to a week or so), and others will just need to see your first closing docs or will just call the first title company to verify the title transfer.

Stephen - We've chatted elsewhere on the forum, but I thought it appropriate to officially welcome you to the community!