In the scenario where you get multiple offers accepted and you only want to focus on one or a couple, keep in mind that you have your contingency clauses in the PSA such as the Inspection Clause where you can get out of a deal if it doesn't make sense.

Some charge a flat contingency , ie 20-30%.

By then my loan contingency period has expired, and I will be faced with either losing the deposit or paying cash, right?

Here anywhere from 30-40% of the houses are sold for cash sight unseen with no contingencies.

I didn't have to go through a bank, had no contingencies and the seller took my offer for 15k less than another offer.

are you still in inspection/contingencies? 

Yup - great agent thats got our offer contingencies tee'd up and ready to go.

One thing to be mindful of is the more contingencies you have, the less attractive your offer is.

Yes, you may be able to negotiate the finalize price down, but chances are (especially in today's sellers market) the seller will not be willing to reduce the asking price a meaningful amount unless you make an all cash offer, an offer with minimal contingencies or bothLastly, if you do ultimately decide to go OOS for your investment, make sure you underwrite your team just as much (if not more) than you underwrite your deal.

How do their inspection contingency lengths compare?