I think it was a good exercise for me to walk through the house and consider all the variables you mentioned to make the decision not to pursue this one.

Hi, yes, this is an acceptable practice.  

Is it possible/practiced in the state of Alabama (or those other non-rebate states?

What practices are considered dishonest when wholesaling?  

If you would like to join heads and share best practices in business, please feel free to connect with me.  

Well all I can say is Real Estate and those that sell it are a lower form of life that practice in this manner then from the responses I read that say it isn't unethical - Yes it may be common practice but I do not believe it is ethical or even honest - Honesty isn't just lying but it is a manner of representing a property and what you want for it - If your intention is to delay an answer in order to get more bidders that is not honest - if I listed a car for sale for $XX and someone offered me cash at that value I would feel obligated to sell it.

While I'm still a noob in the REI space, I want to know what are best practices to build rapport with a broker(s) to start walking properties and seeing deals before thy hit loop net or the MLS.

I also am aware that a 30 year mortgage would not likely be practical given his age, so I was thinking of suggesting adding points that I would pay him in cash upfront as a concession for allowing me to have early payoff. 

My father in-law had a medical practice which he retired from and currently owns the property.

Just bad practice.