Being that you have a steady job, I would probably say you might want to start in the buy and hold field before you try the more time consuming endeavor of flipping.

It's difficult breaking into the field on the non-institutional side, because training is very time consuming and risky for the owner/appraiser.

I have 3 years of commercial and consumer lending experience prior to the O&G field.

I have looked on consumer's checkbook and found a few with high reviews but I am seeing if anyone has a really good recommendation for one they always use.

What's the most irritating or time-consuming part of the process?

Majority of leases 5,000 ft or less which indicates more start up with a higher likelihood of not lasting the term of the lease (but indicates improved outlook for consumer demand) and other observations like Craiglist ads heavily pushing the small shared office aimed at the long term unemployed deciding to create their own job by developing mobile apps and such.

That is to put their feedback mildly :-) I had a bit of drama when the company almost refused to allow me to use that inspection company but we ironed that out (I would have ended the deals if we couldn't use who I wanted).  

If there are laws in CA about it, IMO the good people of WI will have even stricter laws about protecting consumers in foreclosure.Do not tell a seller you are planning to live in the house when you are not.

Other grants can be difficult and time consuming on a smaller project.

I doubt the Dallas area would be really consumer friendly, but these matters are federal law, seeing an attorney is the best course of action if she really was a victim of predatory dealings.I'd suggest you have an attorney review the contract as to her ownership interests and rights.