You may burn some bridges by shopping around, but I like to be very clear with agents that I am talking to others so that they aren't surprised.

I assumed that I would be responsible for six months of HOA fees but to my surprise there is not a HOA in place.

If you decide you want to manage other people's properties, you need to become a real estate agent and work for a brokerage that does property management (you'd be surprised how few do this since there is such a large liability like Tony said) but once you can acquire your broker's license you can go off on your own.

And be sure to check with folks other than your family banker (where you carry all your accounts) - you'd be surprised how much price / term shopping can save you on each deal.Best of luck to you and I look forward to following your journey!

To be fair to the plumber, surprises do come up.

Inspection only listed 1 surprise, it only has a furnace not central air, although my AC guy doesn't see an issue with the upgrade - being a foreclosure it was "as is".

I was surprised when I looked at it and didn’t see a column with property owner’s phone numbers. did I just miss a tab on the website or is this a gap that I will have to fill by researching names and addresses, if so what tools or websites can I use. ( my apologies if this is a overly simple or direct)

most condos are not so no surprise. 

If rates have gone up over half a percent in the past 30 days, that's a bummer, but I wouldn't be surprised. 

The investors that do submit non-contingent offers understand the risks involved and usually have a plan in mind to deal with any surprises that may arise.