In addition to education, focus on networking and thinking of what you can bring to the table (if even it's small... bring your ideas) when you reach out to experienced investors.

In addition, there is no longer enough livable area in the unit so one of the bedrooms has to be used as a living room and I have to put a door on a little passageway area and use that as the 2nd bedroom.

Many states, counties and municipalities have additional protected classes.Here is the blog post that this came from: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/7520/47329-social-media-and-tenant-screeningI hope this helps!

@Michael Boyer: The goal is to reduce discrimination, not spread it.Hope this helps!

Currently I am interested in solving two problems - reducing the amount spent on settlement fees at closing and also discovering a flip opportunity in our area.  

Instead of 'returning' deposit from '15, and having two remaining write new check, can anyone suggest wording/letter that I could have the moving out tenant sign stating something along the lines of 'I, ____, have received my full deposit back, including interest, from my roommates Xname and Zname and do not expect any additional monetary return from my landlord, _____' ? 

Your home owners insurance will change to landlord insurance, which may reduce your premium cost.  

He may be able to offer more insight into additional questions you have.

In addition to studying on BP, KC has some great REIA groups that you should consider joining.

The company would PREFER to not have to do this, so I'm trying to think of a workaround to avoid it.Another option would be to have the seller reduce the purchase price by the commission, but this causes problems for the seller's agent (less of a commission for him, and he's selling the home for under list).