These people are not official lending businesses but may rather be a friend or colleague who has some cash they're looking to invest.

I'm sure there will be others not attending hanging around at the lobby or bar. 

Obviously both these scenarios present two totally different outcomes so I'm just trying to officially figure out what it is so my brain doesn't explode.

That is my official advice for making these sorts of deals with tenants.

After weekly meetings and book clubs for the last 6 months, my three friends (and partners) and I have officially decided to start making the first serious step in finding a property, specifically in Kansas City.

The official answer would be to contact the local permitting office and find out what they will require. 

The biggest benefit as an agent of the MLS in regard to buying your own properties is that you can see the agent notes, you can receive updates through 'showing time' and you can use the official Realtor forms (Offer to purchase and contract 2-T) that make an offer look better than non-agents who write their offers on less familiar forms they find on the internet.

Read this morning that through intense lobbying by the mortgage industry ( some one got through to someone to talk sense into them)the govmit suspending the 7% rule  this should put some downward pressure on Investor and second home interest rates..

Septic permit is pending, but county official believes 10-20 spots could be had. 

Silicon valley will likely lobby that right out of the bill.