I've been looking at e mails from a wholesaler called Home Vestors Western Properties, LLC and in the notes it says "non refundable $3,000 earnest money deposit". 

I have about 50k for down and was planning to put 25% as suggested  by my mortgage broker to make e deal as smooth as possible.

(Don't Subordinate)  @Bob E.

That said, here are a few tips that may help with your decision.You can typically cash out your investments at any time, and lock in the current value, even in an existing plan.You could rollover the existing plan to either a plain old IRA (E*trade, a bank, etc) or a self directed IRA while you have access and consider your options with non-traditional assets in a self directed plan in the future.Within a self directed IRA, you have the ability to invest in traditional assets, so money does not need to remain idle.The type of self directed plan you would pursue is the big question.  

s=real+e...In a nutshell, you don't NEED a RE license to be successful, but there are benefits to having one.

How do we e-shake on it?

Must reads are Rich Dad Poor Dad, Cash Flow Quadrant, The Millionaire next door,  Millionaire Real Estate Investor, The E Myth, The One Thing...for starters! 

This may be a stupid question but what is the main difference in getting an O&E report versus a Full title search?  

Would you recommend creating a website using e lance?

Nicer homes usually bring a lower %, where C/D/E class neighborhoods will bring higher.