I am a recent graduate of California State University of Fullerton where I obtained a B.S. degree in Political Science and American Studies.

My wife got nicotine poisoning from washing with bare hands back in the day. 

Biggest expenses will be roof repair, flooring, exterior and interior paint, some replacement windows, and cleaning/sealing the interior due to nicotine stains/odor.

Second, relax a little, you're making it more complicated than it needs to be.Third, your agent should be able to provide you with the numbers you need, to a workable degree of accuracy, for free.  

I've been able to support myself comfortably ever since I left college 4 years ago, although I did go back to school recently to complete my piano performance degree.

Different animal, no an earnest money deposit isn't required the promise may well do it, I'm speaking of an equitable interest being established and the degree of that interest.

BrandonThat's exactly what you need to do and I agree to some degree about the quality of the buyer.  

I have three degrees including a master from the ivy league and a top law school.  

Particularly on the Maryland side of the border, the state of Maryland no longer allows agents to be involved in the negotiation process with the bank....this has dramatically increased the degree of difficulty in getting a short sale through.

So I am currently a senior in college and am pursuing a degree in finance.