Financing - if I am unavailable to get financing at acceptable terms within a certain time period, I can back out of the contract and not lose my earnest money (This is whay a strong pre-approval letter is important in financed offers).There are other contingencies that are less common, but still used occasionally such as an appraisal contingency (if the house doesn't appraise, I can back out and keep my earnest money) and sale of another property (I'm offering to buy your house, but I have to sell mine first).If you google "real estate contract contingencies", I'm sure you can find many more.Bottom line - you should not be making offers under the assumption that "MOST of the time you get your earnest money back if you back out of a deal". 

Amy,I occasionally send out an email blast to my list of 3000+ commercial agents. 

(E,g: buy and hold, flipping, ect) Ingrid, I think I would to get into the buy and hold method doing the occasional flip if needed. 

Occasionally you will find a house with an ohana, though.

Room counts are not necessarily a priority for me unless there is an extravagant situation

Typically realtors and brokers are the only users savvy enough to call, but the occasional investor or home owner will inquire after this service. 

Numbers are tight if you use a manager, but occasionally a deal will come up.

My goal is to build a 25-30 unit rental portfolio in the next 2-3 years while enjoying an occasional flip when it makes sense."

Occasionally I see people advertising their house for rent/for sale.

Yes I do them occasionally.