Also remember, increased activity from real estate investors often precede neighborhood improvements and rising property values, so pay close attention to areas with investor interest.

At that price I am able to underbid almost any other housing situations available to them, and cover the payment/repairs to the point where I pay less than I currently do in rent.

@Brandalyn DolanNo you have to pay hotel accommodations separately 

Appreciation is great, but appreciation doesn't pay the bills.

I rather fix the damage, have the neighbors insurance pay for it, and find a new Buyer once the issue is resolved.The important question is: After I say NO to the requested discount, if the Buyer decides not to proceed with the purchase, would the Buyer be entitled to receive their earnest money back or should I?

You buy the house for "a deal" and then someone comes and buys that deal from you, pays you a spread, and doesn't realize they could have bought it for your deal, ten days earlier?

And when you know nothing what better way to learn than from the ground up?

Because that's less than inflation and you'd actually be losing ground by keeping that cash.

I also have to pay him out my pocket an amount after closing, since the seller's  agent wouldn't share more than 1% of commission apparently.

This is another layer of cloaking within the 1065 tax return and allows your rental income and deductions to fly just a little closer to the ground as compared to Schedule E page 1 of your 1040 tax return.