Alternatively, some purchasers want to control the process in return for more certainty.For a non-delegated correspondent loan, the loan purchaser will get involved and direct all processing decisions.

This used to be a non-issue for FHA buyers up until 10 years ago when HUD stop allowing buyers to use their appraisalsKeep in mind your agent is not dealing with HUD directly. 

Is using a self-direct IRA to fund this venture a way to defer taxes until retirement ?

I can help with pointing you in the right direction of some good resources to help you in your investing journey! 

I agree with calling the city/county and finding out directly from them. 

When I purchased my first large apartment building my real estate broker called 18 different banks until we found one that gave me the loan and I saved more than $20,000 by dealing directly with the bank and no loan broker.Then, as time went by, I got lazy and found what I thought was a terrific broker.

It would be a direct sale with no brokers involved. 

while still trying to keep up with the competition Do you rely more on direct-to-seller marketing, networking with agents, leveraging platforms like PropStream and Batch Leads, or just by looking at a lot of deals?

I can help direct you to a few local networking & meetups for investors. 

Trump got significant tax reductions in his first term when essentially all demorats proposed tax increases.Of course, we don't want guess work, but we also don't want to ignore the direction that the tax policy will be headed.