Joel Block's Dealmaker's Symposium is in Austin in 2015 and is the best course on raising money I have found.I'm going to sit through the CCIM courses next year too since they've received good reviews.  

The Listing agent puts the property on the MLS and can get away with sitting around twirling their thumbs while buyers agents have a brunt of the work having to drive buyers around, orchestrate paperwork and inspection negotiate and so on. 

Navigating the zoning requirements, dealing with Maryland Historical Trust limitations on what can and can’t be done to the property, and the financial burden of renovating the property to meet these standards have left us trying to figure out the best strategy so the property doesn’t just sit unused.If we decide to sell, we anticipate pricing it at around $70-$80 per square foot, which is an incredible deal for a property of this nature.We’re reaching out to see if anyone here might know of potential buyers interested in this unique opportunity.

I just went to a "retreat" (it was a camping trip up at Cochise Stronghold) where the leader in my area had a sit-down with me about my 5-star. 

Might have a few options for full leverage there, but if not, likely sitting at around 65% LTV on anything long-term/DSCR

But about service based businesses, you're referring to something like a lawn care or pet sitting type of thing?

@Ted Akers  yes for instance this would not work well in WA with the excise tax of 1.78% or there about on title transfers.this was a low end deal in GA so it was a normal wholesaler approach I think the guy made 10k on the deal we made a few bucks and they absorbed the one closing costs and transfer tax which was probably nominal I would have to look at the hud.I can see this working in states were double escrows are not allowed any more... or if a wholesaler wanted to put to bed the thought that they are selling re without a license.. you know the wild wild west out there in that industry were basically anything goes   until it does not  LOL.I am NMLS mortgage banker sitting in the bullpen.. my license is on ICE but I do the CE.. just don't want to have to take the test again incase I want to jump back into doing HML.. so for right now taking title is a clear path.. no securities issues no licensing issues.. etc etc.. and 100% control. the only way I will do this these days.. but then again my clients are well known to me for more than a decade most of them and they are high volume flippers etc... so we have a lot going on...

Nothing sits on the market for a year that isn't wildly over priced, poorly marketed and/or made difficult to show.Potential buyers have probably tried to see the place and are being denied or some sort of nonsense to make them not want to make an offer.I bet the realtor will have some interesting info to share - or if they won't say anything to you bc their agreement is with your partner kindly share with them that the houses are in your name and the listing's need canceled immediately unless they start cooperating.Have you laywerd up yet?

Houses are sitting.

I've seen some good deals pop up lately as builders have been trying to sell inventory that has been sitting.