I've seen writing contests for properties but never a raffle which would (in NYS) be considered gambling (games of chance) and also involving US Postal service which gosh they have rules about all sorts of stuff you can/can't do via mail. 

Great post, I'm writing on here to make sure I can find it once I get home.

That means that I spend a lot of my time networking, writing up posts, planning events, and building my knowledge-base. 

Otherwise if you're comfortable writing your own contract or modifying an existing one than you may be okay.

Girlfriend offered to help store some of the stuff but she said she has limited space as she still lives with her parents and besides I feel I at least need something in writing before I just let his girlfriend ATM come and carry stuff away. 

I have a nice write up concerning the nature of the business I'm interested in doing with them, but what I don't have is: a list of clients, contractors that I usually work with, proof of funds, and really any sort of legitimizing material to suggest I know what the hell I'm doing.

He wants a lower tax rate (including capital gain) in return for fewer write offs; he's trying to simplify the tax code.  

You are elephant hunting with a BB gun, you need to get out of the jungle and learn real estate.Your questions are so vague they can't be answered without writing several books.Land is always valued with the market approach unless it yields income without improvements, then the income approach may also be considered. :)

Follow up- under contract today through a wholesaler,  client added my commission without a hiccup...another wholesaler who can't even write a contract on his own making 5x more than me...grumble grumble

With market rents, coming up with first/last/security deposit can approach $10k in some neighborhoods, which can be a difficult check to write even for professionals.