If you have documented income and meet FM/FMAC guidelines for cash reserves, banks more than willing to lend you money.

Or...you can let your neighbor try to fix your car, save money and take your chances.I would not want to see backyard mechanics subject to fines for practicing without certification.

Earnest money certification 7.

Yep, I went out and bought gift cards for myself and got the certificates in 4 weeks.As for quality, I have found no difference in materials.

Get a tax certificate & wait a couple years if you do anything in the area.

Maybe consider buying out any heir's interest in the property.Did the executor file a death certificate?

There is a buyer certification form that your local HA can provide.

In most states it is very easy to submit the forms to file the entity and be issued a certificate recognizing that the entity has been established.  

Typically, if you have a death certificate, you have the right to have their belongings cleared out and stored for a certain period of time.

A great place to start would be gathering a list of questions from BiggerPockets to ask the PM, then visiting NARPM at http://whyuseone.com/ to find a list of PMs with the proper certifications and licenses.