Your building/road layout might dictate you build 240 or 204, thenthat is what you build.

Answers to those  questions will likely dictate where your next steps should take you...Keep us all posted, k :) 

Conventional wisdom dictates that OOS investors have a hard time in the less affluent neighborhoods. 

The three property rule dictates you may identify up to 3 properties regardless of the value of the replacement.

Plus, once you verify the quality of the product and the trustworthiness of the people on that first investment, the whole 'trust' thing becomes a lot easier for subsequent investments with that provider.Sounds like your work schedule really does dictate that you go the turnkey route for now - and you're definitely not alone in that.

What happens is dictated by the contract, but generally all security deposits are credited to the buyer.

Is this a personal decision or is it dictated by the market I am working in?

State law dictates what charges and expenses can be added to the balance owing, usually it's the unpaid balance, interest to notice, holding costs such as insurance and taxes, trustee fees and cost of the sale. :)

I wouldn't worry if they know your "bidding strategy", it's just a number and since there are no contingencies anyways, price is what dictates whether you win or not.  

I'm not sure I'd be overly concerned, except that your tenant seems to be a schemer.If the tenant asks for modifications he should pay for them and pay to get the property back in prior condition at move out.We as landlords can dictate total occupancy, and approve the occupants, but not decide whether the unit is appropriate for applicants.