The holding agreement should state that the holding fee will be used for security deposit and first month's rent upon signing of the lease or forfeit (at least 50%) if they back out. ...The only problem with a holding agreement occurs when you want to have the tenants get the utilities into their name before the move in and the utility companies require a signed lease before they will put the service in the tenant's name. 

I wanted to utilize everything pro has to offer (calculators, marketplace etc.) to grow my business as efficiently as possible.I currently work for a local utility company full time for 20 years.

Now I'm living in his house and my house is basically unlivable due to the kitchen and baths being completely tore apart.I've been living in his house (only paying utilities) for the past four months while trying desperately to complete a bathroom so I can move back in and out of his house.

This is not a good deal, but I do think one could improve the NOI by reducing the electrical utility expense and make the tenants pay for that. 

I concurrently hold a full-time, contracted job as a Management Consultant working on a Cybersecurity project for a large utilities client.

The tenant pays utilities.

And also we utilize a property management company.

This place is a community that continues to impress.So when I finally got to looking at my first buy I figured I would try to utilize all of your experiences for my own selfish use.

I won the bid on the house with an escalation clause at $390K - My monthly payment will be 2,295.12 + 250 for utilities.

Numbers :)303k purchase365 sale leaves you with 62k- realtor at 6% of sale = $40,100- closing costs at ~5k = $35,100- renovation at 8k (suspect) = $27,100- taxes @ 500/month for 4 months = $25,100- insurance @$150/month = $24,500- mortgage payment @$1200/month (20% down, 4.25%) = $19,700- utilities @ $250/month = $18,700Skinny deal.