If I put in the lock box it'll still give them an opportunity to make key copies.   

This question is 100% answer by the systems you put in place.  

As previously stated yes you can put in an offer before you see the other side.

Go with the one that gives you the best current fixtures, how much cash out of your pocket, and whatever your gut is telling you.One thing that has not been said I'd the money put in to MF gives the property more value condition because of the way they  are figured for its value.  

I know it's vague, but the more you put in, the clearer your business is going to look to you, and subsequently, your investors.

**By no means do I want to discredit the work agents put in to sell a house and I understand every situation varies greatly**With that being said, I just sold a property without the help of a selling or buying agent.  

Thanks Gary Harris - should this mortgage contingency be put in even if it is a HM loan ?

It could be worthwhile for you to put in the 25 hrs weekly required to get brokers license with a known brokerage.

Before this, I mailed the owner a letter, other investors tried to purchase this same property to no avail...But , when I contacted the owner, the same neighbor put in a good word for me....Yaaass, we closed that sweet deal in 2 weeks...This same neighbor referred a tenant..She calls me if anything out of the ordinary takes place at those 2 properties..1.  

I've been wonderfully distracted, but have started to refocus:  I've registered for real estate sales classes next month, and look forward to connecting with new people on here.I feel like I'm all over the place because now that we've settled into our little house, made a number of improvements to it, we're in a position where we have over $150k in equity in the house, and real estate investing is slowly coming back into focus for me.  2 years ago, primarily out of frustration for not being able to find a primary residence, I stumbled onto Bigger Pockets and found myself looking at distressed properties and making offers on houses to flip... until I found a residence suitable for my family.