As a recent college graduate, I am finally in a position where I have enough money to invest, and it just hurts to see it sitting in a bank account not earning interest so I'd like to close my first deal soon. 

In more specific terms, you need to figure out what the optimal DTR is and meet or exceed that if you want to be in a good position for loan.

But, thanks to learning about budgeting for emergencies and CapEx we have survived and overall have had a challenging, but positive experience.

I looked it up and there are other addresses on the county website and it’s also a “Family Trust”.

I'd focus on those.And spare the "Show Me How, Be Happy & Positive, Don't Be Negative and Tell Me No" pablum. 

i would check the property on the county website and see if any contractors filed any NOC that have or were to do any foundation work if you are concerned there might be a sinkhole. 

Remember that you can:Visit the town/city website to see their plans for the futureAttend town/city meetings to influence those plans and get first hand information on what's being planned.I live in the Triangle, NC and wish I had been more involved in the downtown plans of the cities here (Raleigh, Durham, Cary).

Also, if you find a condo you like and your agent can tell you who the management company is sometimes the management company will keep copies of the HOA docs on their website and you can download them and read them prior to making an offer. 

We used one of those legal websites and here is the language we used with repayment specific to our situation.Loan AgreementDated: __________FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, NAMES (the "Borrower"), located at ADDRESS, hereby promises to pay to the order of NAMES, (the "Lender"), located at ADDRESS, the principal sum of $XXXX together with annual interest of X% on the principal balance, and in accordance with the terms set forth below.Payment.

Positive and negative insight welcome and any feedback greatly appreciated.