These have damaged property and roadways, and such breaks pose a threat to public safety, especially when they impact fire-fighting capabilities and medical facilities.

It was one of the first rehabs I had someone else lead and I had to essentially re-plumb the entire bathroom and do some drywall repair for the unit downstairs that had some water damage so I'm almost another 13k into it (Ouch!)

If you put a lock box on it and use a flat fee listing service, it would essentially be the same thing?

Well they never came back but left a several serious safety hazards in my back yard.

It's a much higher demand and higher valued market than many others in the midwest, because of many things like our schools, jobs, safety, etc. 

Start sending handwritten sincere letters expressing concern for his safety.

The former constitutes a sale while the latter does not.Unless expressly stated otherwise in the legislation, verbal agreements relating to transfers of ownership may be sufficient to trigger a "sale" where there has also been a transfer of possession, provided such oral agreement contains the basic elements of a validcontract at law (i.e. offer and acceptance, capacity to contract,consideration paid or payable, certainty of subject matter, essential terms agreed upon, etc.).

@James Jacobs having a business entity between you and your real estate is essential.

Having the original or a certified copy is essential and I would not purchase the loan without it. 

In my research ive learned a lot about investing and now here to learn more so that i can essentially use investing to fund my real estate career.