Congrats on taking action and working towards your financial independence!

I do know that I need to fill out a 1099-MISC form for our friend (who is doing a lot of work for me) who will receive a commission of the sale as an independent contractor.Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

., and Tammy Rogers, Underwood became the first unsigned independent artist in years to break TOP 40 and hold a spot for 4 weeks on the Nashville Music Row Charts.

My ultimate goal is to create cash flow that allows me to receive financial independence and to do that I am interested in rental properties, buy and hold, and possibly duplexes.  

I love your method - in my Real Estate Investing 101 class I call it "Leapfrogging" and I have several friends who leapfrogged their way to financial independence - basically buying a fixer-upper and living in it until fixed up. 

mrmoneymustache.com It's about becoming financially independent asap.  

If you don't have an agent, look for an independent insurance agency in your area.

As Don mentioned, the old days of "simultaneous" closings using your end buyers funds are generally gone (whether in a wet or dry state); because title wants to see two distinct transactions that are separately and independently funded. 

My early interests are B & C grade single family dwellings and apartment complexes for (Buy and hold) opportunities but with my oldest daughter in University I have discovered there is a real market opportunity is college towns with purchasing homes near campus and renting out  the bedrooms to students who want a little more independence than dormitories offer.

And assume that the lender will do an independent written verification of employment with that former employer.