Moreover, if rates start trickling down, many buyers will begin entering the market again, increasing competition. 

The NAR settlement doesn't change anything, besides the need to get a buyer agreement signed up front. 

When you put it on the market, were you getting under contract then the buyer would back out after inspections?

I have an off market property currently for sale, and there's a potential buyer who wants to purchase it with cash. what should I do next?

As a first time home buyer, you have financing options that allow as little as 3.5-5% down payment for multi-family properties up to 4 units.

Most guys will watch, some will fail at the first impression and very few will buy her a ring.  

You seems to be on a conservative side, which is good, it means your project will be calculated and less likely to fail but being conservative means also missing out on opportunities based on being to hesitant. 

I didn't receive this exact e-mail either but a few hosts said when they opted out, they got an error message that submission had failed.

Most investors / home buyers are not aware of how yields and mortgage rates are tied in together.

Sure it starts getting warmer out and people (buyers) start looking again for homes.