Answering questions, providing direction....so I don't have to reinvent the wheel...giving support during successes and challenges (like when I insist on reinventing the wheel and it falls off the wagon).I believe a key aspect is that as entrepreneurs there is a part of us that wants & needs to fly solo...but then there are moments to meet up (like here on BP) and fly in formation.In relation to my RE Investing business I have found 1st & 2nd tier mentors through my REIA meet ups, trainings I have attended, and colleagues.

If we find another house with such evidence of "old activity", I will insist on an examination of the sills from the outside prior to contract.

@Nick L. as @Nathan G. stated, getting too many bids can strain relationships with contractors that do a good job for a fair price.If an owner insists on multiple bids, we will get one from a trusted source and then two from random contractors.

November rent is water under the bridge, shame on the current owner, insist on December on time or start the eviction process.  

And explain that since it is required prior to accepting somebody and that you must decline anybody who refuses the visit.Another is to indicate that some document needed to complete the screening was omitted, and that you would be happy to go to the applicant's home after work to get it taken care of.Some landlords will insist on looking at every room, inside the refrigerator, inside the oven, inside the toilet(s), inside the bathtub(s), etc.

For LTRs, I think you're largely correct that rent collection is less of an issue, especially if you insist on a rent guarantor. 

Obviously, we are insisting that the seller take care of this however, I would love feedback on how you would go about it. 

But I am a devote ANTI Facebook person.My industry insists that I avoid social media and many of my peers have proven to me why.

If you insist on a partnership please make a formalized partnership agreement and be sure to include Exit Strategy(ies) in the document.

.  :(   LoL -> Some RE investors will say that you don't need college or a degree, others will insists on it, if nothing else just for the experience of it and growth during that time.There's no one perfect or right answer, only You can decide.