I've personally witnessed quite a few folks be denied apartments for obviously discriminatory reasons with virtually no recourse available, so setting the bar for advertisements at "not discriminatory" seems a reasonable level. 

Growing up in Los Angeles County I witnessed the same reoccuring theme.

And also if you let one tenant slide you better be be prepared to let them all slide Or you could've been accused of discrimination or fair housing violation.. not saying these things will happen to you but I have seen these things happen to people in the past few years.Bottom line, you have business and there is a reason for having a contract.

I may inform him there are delays in the ACH system and ask him to initiate a day or 2 sooner, but I wouldn't accuse him of being late.   

Do I have to legally notarize the "Assignment Contract" (before submitting to title company) at the title company or is it as simple as both parties signing it in the Sellers kitchen with no real witness to show the signing?

"(3) Should you go ahead wit the deal, get QC from owner by requesting him/her to FedEx the original deed as without it a LP will have to draft a new one, which will cos you around $300.  

Serve a legal notice to enter and bring someone with you as a witness.

Bob,A person accused of a crime doesn't lose their right to conduct business transactions such as you described, so you can go visit him at the jail if you want to. 

likely won't see that as an accusation, but more likely: "yep, of course!

I was also advised never sign or have any party sign without a witness, such as a public notary or certified attorney.