This is my first time reviewing a deal and was hoping someone can help me with some of my questions. 1.

When the amount they lose is 1/4 of their net worth, they can't really afford to lose it.Good syndicators and anyone who raises money, that have track records, do not have an issue raising money, their issue is finding deals to spend money on!

Money and Time are both in short supply and I'd very much like the freedom to spend mine as I like.

Otherwise, you will likely be spending more on rent after your sell your house and may not be able to live in a home/area you want due to only being able to rent. 

Also, while you live there you are no longer spending that money to live in a similar unit, thus you have reduced your expenses by 1 unit of rental income.

In Quebec, there are several tools available for investors to review liens/transactions on a property/transactions (Index des Immeubles) as well as owner and tax information (Role d'Evaluation) .

Regardless, I have been spending a lot of time trying to get a pulse on the market and what types of properties would work for me once moving out there. 

Couldn't an investor screw you over by reviewing the contract for the property, and then going behind your back and purchasing the property without going through you?

There’s not a lot of ways for you to both “win”, unless you pay her what it’s worth as is, spend money on repairs and then sell it again.

Depending on what you find gives you more insight on if you want to spend that court money versus keeping deposits if any.