Two prong outlets are only nominally more expensive than 3 prong and readily available at HD where I live.

Probably won't be solved by adverse possession but might be resolved with either a prescriptive easement or a 'license' for which you pay some nominal fee as the licensee to the property owner.Laws vary by state and can be complicated and expensive to resolve.

If that ability to contribute will be nominal, you could also establish a Traditional IRA somewhere (bank/brokerage) and make a $5,500 / year contribution from other income. 

I wouldn't stage the house unless the costs were nominal, relatively speaking....at least initially.

We signed up with a company that includes: tenant screening (criminal check and credit check) online application process, and marketing, for a very nominal fee.

Tell them that you would like for them to stay, that you would like them to stay long-term, and you are willing to forgo a nominal increase in rent if they sign a longer-than-year lease.Good luck!

If a house flip financed by debt completes in 6 months, your absolute return would be pro rated to half-a-year versus the nominal interest rate.

Otherwise you are getting the cart before the horse.Usually all cash seller takes lowest price.Next level down you are putting money down with finance the rest with a lender.Next level down you are putting some down with finance the rest and also have the seller carryback a 10 to 15% second loan.Last level the owner is financing the whole thing and you are trying to get in with nominal down.There is a price structure for each.

However, two things: (1) The earnest money can (legally) be nominal (literally $10), as sham consideration has to be WAY out of wack to not be respected, and (2) its highly doubtful that a motivated seller will have the wherewithal or the resources to back out of the deal if no earnest money is provided. 

The interest rate on the loans are about 6% so I wouldn't want to rehabilitate the loan if the oustanding balance is going to be counted at its full nominal as opposed to the 1-2% assumption which is more favorable given my good income and credit.Thank you