I get a lot of messages from investors in the Bay Area and I'm happy to talk to someone for an hour but as far as ongoing advice, I don't think I'm the best person to advise them since my properties fell into my lap pre-2013 (California and one Indiana property).

My initial thought is to advise them to continue to offer the fee to avoid alienating buyer agents, especially if this is how buyer brokers are creating their short lists to share with clients.

Readers are advised to seek professional advice.

The right lender will be able to advise you on what options you have after getting some info from you and taking an application. 

I would never buy something myself or advise a client to that loses $1000 a month.

I advise that you get a job working as a PM for at least a year before trying to manage someone's investment.

My attorney advised me to have her sign an affidavit taking responsibility for the deposit and that if the guy ever came back looking for his share that she would pay him or handle all legal issues. 

If it was my property I would not act on any of your requests without EMD & I'd advise my seller clients not to act or even sign a contract without consideration from the buyer. 

Because I have a 22-year-old student in NYC who’s succeeding at this.And I have another student who made a $700K assignment fee in Beverly Hills, California.Can you imagine if Myles, came to you for advise BEFORE he came to me?

@Jesse Jones-Smithhi. i tend not to advise people on personal residence items because... it's too personal. so i'll just pick one thing you mentioned and provide a comment.