Remember you only have 45 days to select the newly acquired property in writing with the qualified intermediary and most closings take 30 - 60 days. 

At the time, I had my W2 job, and was on vacation from that job, and had plenty of time to get him in to see the home, write an offer, and get it accepted.

For the past 6 months, I've been writing out a game plan for starting my RE investing career.

If it's accepted, we can write and execute a contract.

Also any advice for writing cash offers.

You wont be thinking about the extra few thousand you're spending to get more qualified when you have additional write offs from your property and ability to purchase more properties moving forward. 

It's always best to put everything in writing so that there are no misunderstanding that lead to a lawsuit.  

investors that just got in the game post 2009  were spoiled in thinking that everything had to cash flow with minimum down and cash flow positive a lot.. when in reality in a strong market with good demand safe secure properties  minimum down break even is a great out come and many times a little bit negative while you wait for rents to inch up. .you make your money in appreciation and tax write offs and your tenant paying your mortgage for you.. 

Get it in writing that the systems are fine from your contractor. 

I don't write the revised code in any of the 50 states so I don't know why we'd be wondering what I am ok with.In addition, what you are referring to is called a NET Listing.