However, it does limit when it must be returned (within “a reasonable time” after a tenant moves, usually 21-45 days) and sets other restrictions on deposits.

You may consider fine tuning your skills or finding the right people to work with (contractor, mentor, agent, lender, etc) before moving forward on a deal I stopped referring contractors years ago for a number of reasons. 

in other words, are they out to fine people or is it reasonable?

Don't think I've got a choice on that.Feeling passionate about how the situation is lame is totally reasonable.  

If they were damaged this time they may be destroyed next time.For those interested in long term investments southern and coastal areas should be avoided if for no other reason than insurance costs.

This is one of many reasons why I love BiggerPockets - hearing stories from the Podcasts and forums really helped me get my first deal done. 

There could be any number of good reasons.  

There also can be a logical reason why the seller has disappeared - injured, hospitalization, death in family, etc...

I use excel but it's limited and not fail proofI would pay a reasonable monthly fee if the software was out there.

The article says 20 bids and the winning one "wasn't an outlier," so we have good reason to believe the sales price is ballpark accurately telling us true market value for the home, without even having run comps.Really, what's more likely at play here, is a listing agent that wants to be able to juice up his "average % over asking" pitch a little bit more for future listing presentations.