My advice would find a agent who you like and start working with them for all of your buy and sell. but do not pay the 6% commission that most people will ask for instead call and talk to a realtor who will take a flat fee ( yes this is legal in ohio ) and pay him/her to work the paper work for you. you could even work in a full cma into the deal so you have grounds to stand on when the house is ready to sell. just my thoughts and how i would approach it and be a little less worried about things turning bad.

v=XooWh_1U9EwMy husband and I saved thousands our first year being homeowners in a 3 flat with tenants - we just google everything.

The question was analysis of comps, not guessing at a price possible or obtained.I've seen hundreds of Realtors in front of computer screens staring at the MLS, have no idea what goes through their minds.

Do a search and you'll find literally hundreds of threads on tenant screening and on converting a residence to a rental.

The tenants will depend heavily on your property type, rent prices and tenant screening.

You could get a guy with a bulldozer, back hoe or exactly whatever was needed and you'd have a flat, clear lot in a day.

Therefore I will be using HML or equity partners, and time being sensitive in these deals, I don't think I have the opportunity to properly screen new equity partners.So, I'm about to move forward, but before I go calling every HML on the west coast, does anyone have any experience in pre-negotiating funding without disclosing actual property details to make sure a lender is the right fit?

If you're charging a flat fee for someone to assume a straight option, like a purchase agreement, that is not financing, from what you have described, IMO the SAFE Act issues would not apply to you.You could have issues with your option being valid, you need an option price and your fee would be to reimburse you for the option price and you fee.

It may take longer to find a qualified buyer.If you might need more time, it is better/easier to pay a flat fee for a 3 or 6 month extension than to start paying interest

You can not go out and do your own screening unless you obtain the tenants permission to do so.