That creates a problem as I couldn't get a refi closing date and wanted to buy a new property with a mortgage contingency, but couldn't apply for the mortgage until my refi closed.

. - You are caught between a rock and a hard place and as @Daniel Chang - rightly said you need to control your own destiny.Frankly, I wouldn't be doing any further business with your broker/partner, as the business relationship is destined to get worse.You need to find a creative solution to extricate yourself from this problem, as your livelihood depends on it as indicated.You will now have to quickly associate yourself with a new broker, then vigorously pursue getting a broker's license of your own.However, you need to be cautious about the next new broker and use the lessons learned in this recent partnership as a yardstick for selection. 

You can look at this problem as an opportunity to specify in your agreements with tenants that they are responsible for all guests and damages incurred. 

The problem, as I see it, will be to get our equity out of this building to buy the SFH - with a white picket fence and a yard. 

If they sold in the busy summer season that may be the problem as markets around the country have slowed down and we are going into winter.Tricks we use are to stage the house.  

I'm a landlord with a new problem. A

My main concern is actually getting the owner to agree with leasing me the space which should be no problem as long as I can share profit.

I'm sure many new investors have this problem as well. 

I'm sure that increasing minimum wages would help, but it wouldn't solve the problem.  As

(This would solve the "zombie mortgage" problem. A