I currently work in Sales in the enterprise software industry, and will be moving back up to San Francisco (from Encinitas) in August '17, where my company is HQ'd (currently working from home).  

One was sloping (fixed)), the other were sewer line backups from 60 year old pipes leading out to the main line where tree roots had basically destroyed the pipe.

Even planting the seed of doubt in their mind, "If for whatever reason you can't get your number (most won't) or if it doesn't sell in the time frame that you're looking for (most don't), then we're a great back up plan."  

I made an offer on a SF and just received a counter with a Kick-Out Clause that accepts backup offers and "kicks out" the financing contingency.  

You'll still be in the process, but at least the bulk of it's off loaded and only cost some money when a unit turns over.Find a local contractor to do the handyman work, and have the agent send them when there needs to be a repair vs calling you.Always keep a few backup numbers in your Rolodex for vendors. 

SLOs are very difficult to pull off for any newbie, and you must have money to back up your obligations to your seller when your tenant takes off, they will take off on you.

Unless you have a solid backup buyer (thinking you might because you got over asking price) and you know that new buyer would pay the difference in appraised value...then do everything you can to work it out with current buyer and move on.

Getting the $37,000 back would probably take a year, putting our RE investing on the back burner once again. 

If their appraisal is done late, or they need an extension to close for some reason...that is going to cost them money or possibly losing the property if I receive better backup offers.  

Can you back up a 5k a month income with tips on your tax returns?