I have a couple snappy ways of accomplishing this and maybe I can add your cashier's check to the seller routine to my repertoire. 

Understandably, I do not want to pay for a speaker, but is paying for a speaker routine practice? 

I've never liked the "so many $ above other offer.." routine, just too squirrelly.  

Meeting with other investors and professionals is now a regular part of my routines and it's because of the cumulative effect of that effort that I felt confident that I could find a great speaker for our group (and I was right ..

I would be very concerned should they get audited as to what the services position would be on that issue if they routinely violate the Treasury Regulations. 

But that's fine, RE investor routinely have to try for a great many deals before the right one goes all the way through."

In the multifamily sector I routinely see loan terms of 7-10 years with amortization based on a 30 year schedule. 

My next line of thinking is owner-financing but I'm unsure as to where to even start.My question: In a hot market like Denver, how does one buy investment property, strictly based on numbers (i.e- property paying for itself), when sellers are routinely getting 40-50k over asking?

I routinely sell and buy properties for clients of all kinds.

I suggest you consider two attorneys, one better skilled in real estate contract law, corporate law, estate planning awareness, another who hammers out evictions and takes care of routine matters.