Other good source can include other investors, wholesalers, rehabbers, and turn-key providers -- all of which can be found here on BiggerPockets, or at your local real estate clubs.

My question is, can I expect answers from the listing realtor to questions that will likely influence how quickly the transaction could be completed?

As Jon Holdman says, the key is whether you are doing business in California and the state has a very broad reach as to whether you are doing business there.

What might be a couple key questions to ask.

You can always take a ton of pictures.As I understand it, you should do a move-in walk through whenever possible and have them complete all of the initial boxes before handing over the keys, like a car rental.

The holding costs are the key.

Having the right people around you is key!

These are big keys, and the first 5 seconds in a house are very important to their opinion.

A key component of financial independence is proper stewardship of your resources.

I saw too many families like this growing up, so real estate investing made sense to me as the key to financial independence and freedom.I look forward to networking!