I've tried various things: shorter inspection time period (typically it's 10 days here, and if you do a 3 or 5 day inspection time you can be attractive b/c the seller can get it back on market quicker if you find something you don't like during inspection period); non-refundable earnest money (maybe $1000 of money that you will not get back for any reason on your side - not if the seller breaches-- should the offer not go to completion - this shows you are an extremely interested buyer, but you could lose the money, so use cautiously and with the advice of your agent who knows how to correctly write that into the contract); put a limit on the repair request no required by lender - cap it at $0/as-is, or $500; a higher earnest money - like $5000, shows you are serious.

Meaning 90% are unhappy and would have opted to not enter the venture.   

They are valued based on comps and not NOI / Cap Rate, so you lose the ability to drive appreciation, and if you cannot find good comps, they can be hard to refinance or sell.

You lose no matter what. 

Will you lose $30k of credit or will you still be able to have the $50k of credit?)

On the umbrella, the question for you is: Am I OK with losing all that I have if I am sued? 

You could lose 20% of your money.

You lose time and will probably win in small claims if you have your ducks in a row… then you have to collect.

Hey Kweli,My best piece of advice is for you to follow a path in real estate that suits your talents/qualities:Wholesaling - Sales & MarketingAgent - Incredible people skills / networkingFix and flipper - Great eye for design, construction, budgeting Buy and Hold - Patient, budgeting, you currently enjoy what you do for a livingETC.Overtime many then venture into different categories (I know I have)  but I would suggest you start with the one that suits you most.

In early 2022, my wife and I want to purchase our own long-term rental property (not with the family venture that we just did).