You can find all of the info here on this site and the internet in general. 

the seller has to not need the cash up front to buy another property (or use it for anything else). 

There is a few active FB groups that have meet ups

If there is no match there is honestly no reason to tie your money up with them especially if the returns are lack luster.

Here's a framework that you should know for tax planning:The further you can push your taxes out, the smaller they become.The time value of money shows us that a dollar is worth more today than 20 years from now.Planning is used to kick the can down the road, and make sure there will be available cash to pay the tax!

They really don't have the power or right to place any kind of lien on the property while they simply have it under contract and aren't doing any improvement to the property. 

I’m trying to find the best sources to be able to compare sellthrough rates across various markets throughout the county.

How do you work on the terms with your preferred realtor?

Welcome to BP.I am not sure on the course offerings, but @Dave Meyer's latest book, Start With Strategy, would be a good primer that goes to the question you are asking.Are you talking about an overview on all asset classes or more of a how-to on getting started and prepped to invest?

After locking up the contract, I ran into my first problem: I didn’t have enough cash buyers.