We value the opportunity to work with clients and partners in the real estate community.To address @David Ramirez' suggestion, if any title issues are found, the earnest money is fully refundable.

Before finalizing anything, I wanted to get a better understanding of how to evaluate different real estate opportunities and what challenges might be posed. 

If they are available online or in person.

Many would suggest against RE investing using retirement money but if you go into low risk opportunities it can be a powerful diversification method.

Change some of the variables, it will give you an intuitive feel for where you need to focus next given the opportunities at hand.Finally, the ultimate combination is having a business AND invest in real estate.

You can also listen in on Rob Abasolo's Youtube channel (Rob is one of the recent Bigger Pockets host) and you will learn a lot from him.If this group offers an opportunity to invest with them or their properties, then it may be worth the price. 

I saw the market going up while renting in the area and didn't want to miss the opportunity.

It's crucial to have a team that can provide both on and off-market opportunities, as Columbus can get a bit competitive.

While short-term rentals in areas like Kissimmee, Florida, can pay for themselves and offer lifestyle benefits, the ROI typically doesn’t match what I see from my traditional portfolio of long-term rentals in North Texas.That said, short-term rentals can still be a great choice, especially if you're drawn to the area and the opportunity to combine personal use with investment income.

Networking, local meetups, door knocking, mailers, wholesalers, online forums specific to your area of interest.