But now I'm starting to feel the need to understand the seemingly complex nature of all the RE options of financing and which path we go down.

I did not start out with much cash and while I have more of it now, I still retain the natural desire to save up. 

Then you have to go to your bank to gat a certified check for the minimum bid and return to the auction to actually bid.If you get the property, you have to give them the certifed check (has to be a check, no cash) then tell them how you're going to pay for the remainder, which I believe you have a week, maybe two, to accomplish.

I'm in SW Littleton, Roxborough, where water is quite expensive.In this area, I'll bet average looks something like this monthly:$130 - water/sewage$60 - natural gas$120 - electricAgain, other areas may be more or less, and gas/electric are probably combined in most parts of the metro area.

In the wake of the recent tornadoes at northern Texas, i would like to know if there are strategies for landlords to protect against such natural disaster.

I am interested to see what happens in the area given the price of crude oil and natural gas.

You'll have an ample supply of students, but you'll have to deal with the transient nature of college housing.

Las Vegas does have a large pool of renters though, due to the nature of the majority of jobs.

Our certified financial planner not only doesn't seem to understand REI, but also hasn't been supportive of us engaging in it at all as retirees. 

That said, if you have the "disregard if... " on your future mailings, then the awkwardness part is moot because when you ask, with the intent of receiving confirming the status, and they acknowledge that it is, then you can simply apologize for the misunderstanding, gently point out that your mailing had a note about listed properties and so having received the call, you naturally assumed that the property was not listed.