The point about ethics and integrity certainly resonates with me, which is partly what has been bothering me.

I’ve had a few bids for professional treatment at around $3,900 or $325/unit.

Is there a way to ask them to leave that is humane and ethical? 

.- Sheetrock to repair some holes in the wall ($800)- Some decent new flooring (2100 square feet of wood laminate flooring installed, $5.50 per square foot = $11,500 total)- Appliances — washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, water heaters, and microwave for each unit ($11,900 total)- Washer and Dryer ($1500 per unit, $3,000 total)- Refrigerator ($1300 per unit, $2,600 total)- Stove ($750 per unit, $1,500 total)- Dishwasher ($500 per unit, $1,000 total)- Water Heat ($1000 per unit, $2,000 total)- Microwave ($300 per unit, $600 total)- New kitchen cabinets and counter tops in both units ($4000 per unit, $8,000 total)- Framing of closet space for washer dryer plus shelves and door ($2,000 per unit, $4,000 total)- Bathroom remodel in both units ($9,900 total) - 2-sink cabinet / vanity ($800 per unit, $1,600 total) - 2 sinks ($400 per unit, $800 total) - Countertops ($400 per unit, $800 total) - Mirrors / Medicine Cabinets ($500 per unit, $1,000 total) - Framing and installation of small linens closet plus door ($800 per unit, $1,600 total) - New toilets ($200 per unit, $400 total) - New tubs ($1200 per unit, $2400 total) - Lighting and Fixtures ($650 per unit, $1300 total)- Exterior landscaping, some patching of the yard, trimming of trees, and a few beds out front ($2,000)- New interior doors ($900 per unit, $1,800 total)- New exterior doors ($800 per door, $1,600 total)- New mailboxes and house numbers ($500 per unit, $1,000 total)- Exterior painting (minimal with brick construction) ($1,000 total)- Interior patining ($3,000 per unit, $6,000 total)- New exterior shutters ($300 per unit, $600 total)- Interior window treatments ($300 per window, $3,000 total)On the rent side, there are few rents in the area at $1250.

Not sure if a bankruptcy would change the parameters or not but that may be a better option for the seller. yes if the bank reports the debt as forgiven.. there is an IRS form though you can file with your tax's that says your broke.. then you don't own the tax's on the forgiven amount.. during the crisis IRS postponed this so no one got that treatment but that sunset and now short sales or debt forgiveness needs to be calculated …. the forgiven debt is tax as ordinary income so a 1 mil forgiveness could be a 300 to 400k tax bill..

A high quality, ethical Flat fee MLS would disrupt this industry and be a game changer to the industry. 

Additionally, I'm not certain but I believe that every penny of withdrawal taken out of a (non-Roth) 401k/IRA during retirement is taxed at your ordinary rate, which is likely to be higher than tax preferred treatment of real estate.

What I do have is work ethic, some knowledge of real estate investing, ambition, and time.

The problem with pretending to be something your not is ( I know you technically are still a property manager) they will eventually find out and will consider your word and your ethics to have no value which will damage that trust .

These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics.