They've always got some promotions going on, the trick is to prepay as far ahead as you're comfortable with to get the discount pricing for more than a month.Also, like with all hosting providers, they try to upsell you when you checkout, so just be sure to uncheck almost all the options when you're checking out and watch as the price comes back down to earth.For domains Namecheap or GoDaddy are good.  

Oh...one more thing as an insider "been there, done that" kind of issue to watch for: ALWAYS check the title of the home you purchase months AFTER your purchase.

Consider yourself a very fortunate young lady and keep moving that ball down the field and over the goal line.

I've been to all the seminars, watched all the videos, read the books, yet here I am, not doing a damn thing.

Just read a lot of internet stuff and watched a lot of videos.  

I am also just down the road from you, but lived in Federal Way for a spell.Be sure to check out the podcasts, set up some key word alerts, and watch for the south sound BP meet-ups.

I’ve spent the last few months reading books, analyzing my market, watching trends, creating spreadsheets, mock budgets, estimating financials, doing calculations, designing rooms via SketchUp Pro, networking with suppliers, and vetting hard money lenders.

Over the last few years, whenever I've felt unfocused or just needed a bit of a push I've watched and re-watched (or just listened to) this speech and video. 

What are the typical practices, and what would be some red flags to watch out for (e.g. someone trying to hide something from you by denying access)?

The Ultimate Beginner's Guide is now a course that you can now watch.