That takes a lot of time, probably a couple hundred dollars, and there's a good chance they have no evidence to support their claim, whereas you can show pictures or video.Document everything, follow the law, and treat people honestly and fairly.

I started off in 2009 spending 3K on 5 liens and I got burned on two of them and lost most of my money.

Hands down the best there is for hard money!

I'd also talk to the current owner, so if they want, they can let the tenants in that unit know.Hopefully you are getting their deposits transferred to you (it is the tenants' money and you will have to pay it back in full when they go because you don't know the condition of the unit when they moved in). 

They need to sign something acknowledging that they are giving up their rights to inhabit the house in exchange for money.

(I heard that 1% - 2% of the purchase price is ideal).Where does the earnest money go, when all is said and done?

Sure, taking a trip cost money, but a few hundred or thousands of dollars is a tiny percentage of a real estate investment.

I make good money, and recently left the military. 

@Ethan GidcumbLenders will not and here is whyTake a $200k property needing $150k renovation and arc is $400kLet’s say lender will lend $325k - they are not giving it at closing - there will be construction draws as I have seen borrowers take money to use on other projects and then lender is stuck holding the bag until he sues on the guaranty and goes after the borrower

I got the voucher caleed SOTA.and I earn that amount of money from my employment income.