The worst investment decision I've made to date actually has nothing to do with REI.

He believes he can find all that he needs to know on the internet.

I did not want to simply rely on one source so I figured there are people here that would be up-to-date if such a manner was so as well. 

You don't know for sure exactly what their occupancy rates are but you can certainly get a feel for it by seeing what future dates are open.

As used in this Section 18, "Interest in the Property" means any legal or beneficial interest in the Property, including, but not limited to, those beneficial intereststransferred in a bond for deed, contract for deed, installment sales contract or escrow agreement, the intent of which is the transfer of title by Borrower at a future date to purchaser.If all or any part of the Property or any Interest in the Property is sold or transferred

Your tenants can set up automatic drafts for their rent payments, but make sure they do not set them up for the due date, as they will not process.

I think that’s why I don’t have more properties, because it has to be a great deal right from the get-go, and that usually means it needs a bit of work and is also dated, but a solid investment.

Assuming your property is in Utah (like your profile indicates), here's the state law from a basic internet search:In Utah, a tenant who abandons a rental property without notice is liable for the lesser of the following: The rent remaining on the leaseThe rent plus the difference between the fair rental value and the agreed-upon rentThe cost to restore the property to its original conditionThe landlord can also remove the tenant's belongings and sell them if the tenant doesn't claim them within a reasonable time.

Most of the US real estate market has seen inventory continue to rise with a lot of relisting and stale dated listings, but Valdosta seems to be a “Great White Buffalo” (if you get the movie reference).

They will be more focused on finding a buyer for a deal vs what date the DD ends and EMD is owed to the seller and most likely not be cancelling the contract or extending the DD to protect the lenders EMD funds.