This would be my first real estate investment, making the decision even more critical.I understand that backing out would mean losing the $2,000 earnest deposit.

If you have a swimming pool check out the water pump system with aerial hoses.  

Hi @Jon Pflueger to answer your questions requires more information. 

Several questions that will allow financial professionals/planners to help you make an informed decision include: what are you paying in rent?

A couple of years ago, I worked with an investor who never updated the contact information for the loan and the Bank call the seller (ex-wife), that day she was mad at her ex-husband and told the bank her ex allowed someone to steal their property from them and they got no money, she was kicked out of her house and there were strange people living there.This could all have been avoided if the investor did this process correct.Get educated, also I do not know your attorney but not many attorneys have the knowledge to do this process correctly. 

If they weren't that successful then are they the best people to be dishing out paid advice?

@Makani Donaldson as a PMC, can tell you that trying to go around a PMC and "Cut out the middle man" to get to the owner will just make your name mud in your area.Who's going to trust you?

(Launch Control allows you to send follow ups after 30 days and costs a bunch to get additional market phone number)But wanted to ask anyone who has used Smarter Contact:- If you disabled the opt-out msg for your SMS, did any of your messages get blocked by the carrier?

This is where you live in one side.

Hi Chris,My advice would be to start by doing your own research.