REIA meetings are a nice place to meet like minded people and discuss current market topics, but it is far more important to be seeking deals.

Maybe you need to understand that one goal of most investors seeking passive cash flow is to have enough to live off of at some point, they don't necessarily care what the return is at that point if they are sitting on a beach drinking a margarita every day.

The concepts essentially are just seek to help people, and by your actions, people will become attracted to you.

What, if any, legal obligation do I encounter if he leaves after the year (or sooner) and decides to seek compensation? 

Seeking expert advise on how to best start REI.

@pat_clark More stories by Patrick Clark‎February‎ ‎23‎, ‎2017‎ ‎4‎:‎00‎ ‎AM As rising home prices, slow new home construction, and 50-year lows, the U.S. is increasingly a country of renters—and landlords.Last year, 37 percent of homes sold were acquired by buyers who didn’t live in them, according to tax-assessment data compiled in a new report published by Attom Data Solutions and ClearCapital.com Inc.That number may include second homes, or properties acquired by investors who seek to fix up old homes and resell them at a profit.

It will be a big relief for you.  

In case 2, the couple just backed out without seeking further evaluation. 

Right now I'm mostly seeking knowledge in real estate investing, and I hope to apply that within the next year so I can get started investing!

Jordan, I do not have experience with this type of situation but have you tried to seek help from someone local who is experienced dealing with the county and who does buy/sell in your area - it could be a broker or a lender who can help you and the current owner come up with an approach that works for all parties including the county office.