The closing took 8 months--the seller could only communicate on Sundays. 

I just recently got back from a three year tour in Germany and the main thing you need from a property manager is someone with a solid automated system and  they need to be completely ok with email being the primary and possibly only form of communication. 

We have communicated over text and email.I have submitted a POF document and we discussed the funding portion of the deal. 

Also I would make sure any and all communications were done in writing to back up what happened.

tons, education on rehab costsdefining doneworking with contractorsclarity in communication Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Stop focusing on getting your first deal, or all you're going to get is your first property. 

To actually protect yourself, you would need an executed agreement from one or all of the heirs.  

If so, you should consider grounding yourself in the full spectrum of real business life: sales, negotiation, finance, communication, marketing, etc.I do have some specific recommendations on business books that I found helpful, so connect with me here on BP if you're interested.Good luck!

So, for example, you could withdraw some or all of your contributions to invest in rental real estate, while leaving the earnings in the account.However, if you are serious about intending to eventually purchase rental real estate, then I suggest you save money into an account that you can freely use when the time comes, such as a properly structured whole life policy, a savings or checking account, a money market account, or CD.

Escrow was a little  messy with my being in Hong Kong and doing my first FSBO but I disclosed everything to the seller and let her take possession a month before escrow closed.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Twentynine-Palms/69933-Cielito-Dr-92277/home/160529000(note that those listing pictures are the same ones I took before my co-host charged me for a "deep-cleaning" - eye roll )THE NUMBERSI sold it for $134kTotal invested was $100,013 + ~$7000 (the only number I don't have in front of me) in closing costs, buyer credit, etc for a profit of $27,000 or 27% return on investment.This also doesn't include hotel costs for the early days when the cabin was uninhabitable, the substantial gas and auto wear to travel out there, or all the nights I had to bribe my husband with a trip to Palm Springs.