“Money goes where money is treated best.”Your future ability to attain and maintain financial freedom depends on the city where you invest.Investment TeamAn essential location selection criterion is an experienced local investment team.

Sellers rarely mind the low deposit and extended closing period due to the nature of the property, or at least they can be made aware of the fact that their lot has issues that will take MY time and MY money to solve and then they come around.My terms on the flip are: Minimum 10K spread between purchase and flip value.  1-2K deposit upfront to hold the property for 7 days then the deposit becomes non-refundable after the 7th day and the buyer has the same amount of time that I originally negotiated with seller typically 8-12 months(its a purchase contract but because of contingencies its essentially an option).  

This property was in rough shape, so I tackled the essentials: new roof, plumbing fixes, and updating the interior to make it livable again.

This property was in rough shape, so I tackled the essentials: new roof, plumbing fixes, and updating the interior to make it livable again.

Higher property taxes can eat into your profits, so it's essential to factor this into your calculations.It's worth asking yourself if you'd want to live in the markets you're considering.

Are there any other real estate investing books that the forums would consider essential to a first time investor?  

Very plausible given that this event marketing company is essentially unknown prior to this "event" they've got 37 likes on Facebook, pretty underwhelming for a "marketing company" with press credentials. 

Working with a CPA experienced in real estate transactions is essential here.If I were you, I’d call some attorneys on Monday if this is something you’d like to move quickly on. 

It doesn't sound like that has happened here because you keep saying you want to transfer it etc...essentially you want to give them the property, because right now today they do not own it and have not completed AP...you're doing their job for them. 

You essentially end up paying over $300 per month if you attempt to start making calls from the dialer.