Makes me wonder why a guy with that much experience would  be looking for this kind of arrangement.

How did you go about issues that others have brought up - showings/stagings/marketing/deciding on price?

We are in the stage of negotiating the price and I am taking my contractor there tomorrow to kill the price.

Far too many get stuck in the "paralysis by analysis" stage, thinking they just don't know enough to get started.

We are still in the planning stages since we are looking for a draftsman or a reasonably priced architect.

I'm also interested in the Rocky Mount and Wilson area but have been stuck in the education or "analysis paralysis" stage. 

Without a solid job/W-2 income, you're going to have to rely on the good graces of the seller and your negotiating skills.Be sure to exercise caution not to overleverage at this stage.

There were several round tables in the middle for members to sit, a stage to the right and all around the perimeter were tables where vendors, such as finance people, real estate lawyers, etc set up to promote their businesses.

I am in the beginning stages of "shopping" for a lender to purchase my first owner-occupied investment property.

They would be involved in the process at some stage and now would be a good time to get them involved.