Hi Dylan, I'm glad to hear you didn't get fooled by the mentorship program--all the information you need to be successful is available for free on the internet and through talking with agents, lenders and property managers.

Newbie here, looking to connect with members, agents, investors in the Asheville, Maggie Valley, Boone area of North Carolina. 

I'm a licensed agent in TX.

It's good to talk to a Pro in the area in yoour case I would reach out to @Lucia Rushton.I know Lucia has helped several investors I know and having a good agent is a plus even if you have one now its still worth a quick call.  

NEVER ever send a lender money in advance other than maybe a small deposit like 100 or 150 bucks to run credit etc.. and then most will have you pay for the appraisal directly.Really was a waste of time and money.I am thinking of always getting a title company/attorney or reputable entity to act as the median between me and the contractor/lender in every future opportunity.Honestly, I was overzealous looking back.

My best agent How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

I'm Darrell, an up-and-coming real estate agent/enthusiast in Dothan, AL!

An agent can make maybe only $1,500 on a  50k listing for the same amount of work it would take to sell a 500k listing, while a wholesaler can mark it up 5k, 10k or 20k if the price was right. 

They somehow convinced my tenant it would be livable during this and my insurance agent has said they can pay me half a month rent if he stays (which I will pass the savings along to him) and if he decides it’s not live able they will give me a full months rent so he doesn’t have to pay.

My husband has a friend he went to high school with who is a real estate agent.