If an investor isn't game for research, due dil and some increased time/effort, then a self-directed IRA may not be a good fit. 

I work as a sales engineer but have been spending the last year researching the real estate game and the B.P. community seems to be very nice and helpful so I'm glad to be here!

You don't really talk about real estate or what's going on in the community since you're playing a game, but eventually you'll strike a conversation with someone who knows a lot about the area as well.

Guy is playing a game of chess.

I understand all your fears and it is a hurdle/risk we have to overcome in order to ger skin in the game.

I’m new here and new to the real estate game, actually I haven't even scratched the surface yet.

finally after almost 6 months in getting my credit scores up to par...I have a little cash saved, andnow it seems I keep running into sellers that are playing games...ie List for 62.5 k...then when I madean offer of 60k...she countered with 64.5k...getting frustrated with trying to negociate buying...thisis not the first time....its happening over and over again since January with varius properties and differentrealtors...any advice?

And there is no way to fix that in a short online reply, sorry. 

But it's not AM Best rated and there's very little info about Lighthouse online. 

Oakland County has a nice online database you can access at Oakgov.com.