I came across a sweet wedge deal online.

The MLS will have the most up-to-date information, but I've found Redfin to be a good alternative as it has a fair amount of the same information as the MLS does.

The kitchen renovation still remains and I am not 100% sure the end date on the project. 

Pictures online only tell you so much.  

Look at reviews online and talk to other investors.

I happen to find out the owner of the apartment complex here in socal, of a girl whom I used to date.

I've been doing the "Call me at [a future date and time] for a phone screening to weed out folks and I'm getting a TON of tire-kickers on Zillow (and their propagators) and craigslist.

I work much better with a real person then by reading instructions online. 

Yea, so after about 2 years I still don’t know what even possessed me to go back online and start researching more but I jumped back in .

Seller can't - you signed the closing docs before the date stated in Purchase Agreement - so he has to.The PA is a binding agreement and you can sue him for damages.