We did one showing and the lease was signed 2 days later after we did all the background check.

If the original PSA is expired without a mutually signed extension betweeen you and the seller you probably have little recourse unless I am missing something.

ALL contractors that sign up with them has to be licensed, bonded, and insured.

Had to sign a buyer's agreement with our agent, who wants 3% commission.

When you refinance a property as an owner occupied property, you are signing a new 12 month occupancy clause which means you need to live in the home as your primary residence for 12 months after you do the refi.Rates are on a downward trend and likely will continue to do so for the next 12 months so you may have time to refinance your loan in the next year or two into a fixed rate while you are still living in the property so if you planned on living in the home for 3 years, you could wait 2 years for rates to drop and then refi as owner occupied into a new 30 year fixed rate.Alternatively, you could get into a fixed rate now at at 5.875% on a 30 year fixed rate if you qualify for the "HomeReady" program (HomeReady is an income limited program that gives buyers a fantastic rate).

We signed our first listing agreement 8/5/24 and the property is supposedly going to be vacant by 8/26/24 (same as Erin is saying.

Every time I enter into an agreement to purchase I have the following: Exclusive irrevocable possession and occupancy shall be delivered to Buyer, Buyer’s Assignees, or Buyer’s Agents at 5:00 PM on  the date this agreement is signed by Seller,  on the date of Close of Escrow,  on ________________, 20______ or  no later than ___________ days after Close of Escrow.I have collected my fair share of cash for keys in SS where the lender tries playing God.  

Now, you need pages and pages of documents signed and notarized and you still are not sure if you are dealing with an honest person.There is certainly more than enough money in the investor arena to go around for everyone, but many people choose to conduct unethical business anyway. 

Check the leases, when they signed, the rent, and how long they have been there.

It is to hold the unit for that person and you can charge any amount you like.I'd suggest charging a non-refundable one month of rent and if they sign the lease for August 2025, the holding fee is applied toward the security deposit.