How many properties should I look at in the duplex-quadplex rental space should I look at before I determine this isn't a good market for those property types at the moment and move on to something else: i.e.

If they say yes , you sign a contract , pay the deposit and get on the list .  

I even wonder how these list providers are determining equity.

Should they have sellers coming to them by way of websites and bandit signs?

You can actually sign up for a free account to try it out to see if it will work for you.

I signed on it last week and it was recorded on Friday with the understanding that the current renters would be out by "the end of the month"  I had to stop by to check a couple things out on Friday and nothing has been packed and there were no signs of people moving out.  

As this is a risk for me to tie up a chance of not selling to anyone for possibly 3 years, is it possible to "tie it up" for them, but say something like "price to be determined by appraisal at end of lease, with a minimum of $215,000" is this legal, or common?

One of the keys to the HUD 4155 is section 4155.1 4.B.2.c  where it says "FHA will not insure a mortgage if it is determined that the transaction was designed to use FHA mortgage insurance as a vehicle for obtaining investment properties, even if the property to be insured will be the only one owned using FHA mortgage insurance." 

How can i determine fair market value of a property if i can't be there in person?

what forms do you have your contractor sign before starting a flip?