Now that I have more time on my hands and some additional disposable income, I am looking to jump back into learning about real estate!

They'll also confirm there aren't any other liens or encumbrances on the property that need to be disposed of pre-closing.   

When a person who has entered into a written contract for the sale and conveyance of an interest in real property dies before its completion, the executor or administrator of the decedent's estate, if not required to otherwise dispose of the contract, may, with the consent of the purchaser, obtain authority to complete the contract by filing an application for that authority in the probate court of the county in which the executor or administrator was appointed.

Live below your means increase your disposable income as much as possible and invest it while delaying gratification for as long as possible.

One of the tradeoffs in the tax code with regards to RE is that it's meant to discourage disposing of assets; that's why the 1031 is in there, depreciation recapture, LTCG, etc.

Which REDUCES disposable income.

Any cigarette butts from smoking outside by you or your guests must be picked up and properly disposed of.

But I take out the dish washers, the washer and dryer, all ceiling fans (switch to dome lights) and garbage disposals.

Tree work, sewer line replacement/ repair, driveway repair, electrical main service replacement, HVAC, plumbing (galvanized/ polybutylene/ lead pipes failing/ water damage/ mold), garbage disposals, appliances are only made to last 3-5 years anymore, even handy people want $65/hr now, etc.

If they see you have disposable income, they will come at you hard to invest more money into their training and software programs.