If so, then the $8k deposit would likely be treated like a retainer given to an attorney, against work Actually performed.- what are the written steps after mediation, arbitration?

You need to determine water run off and retaining walls and driveway.  

You will need to provide the title company with a contract to show agreement to purchase or retain property signed by all parties on title. 

If there is no buyer's agent, then I retain the full commission including the buyer's side commission regardless of what an unrepresented buyer asks.

If fear exists than bravery exists, exercise your bravery muscles and you will either learn a ton or make money or both. 

Does the seller retain all interest write offs?

I feel like I have retained a lot of information it’s just that my next step would be to actually start my real estate journey.

Once written, the JV Agreement can be reused again and again using different addresses as you accumulate properties.As an option, You might want to put rentals in one LLC and fix & flips using a different LLC.You also might want to just have everyone have their own LLC and create a Joint Venture for buy & holds and a Joint Venture for fix & flips and each LLC joins or sells their LLC share as desired.LLCs require careful maintenance in following the Operating Agreement in order to retain their value.

My philosophy is to always try to retain tenants who have proven to be a good tenant.

If you choose to use LLCs, then you each have your own LLC and each LLC is a party to the Joint Venture Agreement (written up by an attorney) LLCs require careful maintenance in following the Operating Agreement in order to retain their value.