House flipper is flipping on me

[Account Closed]

My wife and I are in the rental market and we were looking to expand our portfolio. Last January I met a flipper and we began to visit about their business. We talked multiple times over the next few months. In March of last year my wife and I loaned them 50k for a flip or a fix and rent triplex, we left it up to them, we just wanted to be the lender. It was a 6 month note, I had my attorney draw up a contract. Everything clipped along great and September rolled around and the market changed in the area they were buying houses in. As I said we are in the business so we understood. We have worked with them, being patient and following up. Obviously following up more the later past the due date we get (making contact once a week). 5 months past due, the person won’t return my calls, will respond to my calls in text occasionally.   The excuse is that they have meetings from 5am to midnight everyday trying to get us paid back.  Now, this morning after another another call, I politely tell this person that we need to get paid and we need to keep the line of communication open and if your not willing to talk to me then I will let you talk to my attorney.  So ensued the blow up.  The said person sent a rather rough text telling us that this was not their fault and they are doing all they can.   It was also added that we should be grateful that they are even attempting to pay us back when they could have just said f*** it and never attempted the repay the debt.  Now that you know the story, are there other routes , other than legal, that I should look into. Thanks for some out of the box ideas.