We use the bank ACH linkage to provide the escrow with the proper source of funds.From the Texas Securities Board:Payments received from investors for the purchase of securities (investment commitments) must be directed to and deposited in an escrow account with a bank or other depository institution located in Texas.

Since you don't know the initial steps, you won't likely know what a good deal looks like, how to maximize your monetization of that deal, how to properly draft a contract with favorable language, how to exit the proper and a dozen other things an investor must know how to do in order to successfully acquire and sell a property. 

Experienced contractors for you needs to have a good history and are properly screened like tenants.I feel like you have some experience and does not need to be called a newbie.  

They are far out of that window, they are claiming slander of title saying they didn't receive proper notification of the sale which I don't think will stand in court.

If you mean after a properly done foreclosure; most liens in Washington State are wiped out after the foreclosure but not all liens.

As I said I do plan on getting my license starting in May so I'm not too far off from being where I need to begin properly.

I am willing to pay for the 15 foot section that we share but I am hesitant about getting a contractor without the owner of the property being properly informed by me.

Yeah how could this be your fault, unless the siding was like not attached properly then it's not your fault.

Did you run your numbers properly to buy @ 70% of ARV less repairs & did you add 15% fudge factor?

I suppose you could even have a VA do the outreach if they were properly trained and knew all the regulations to follow.