When a chosen investment is financially marginal or the business premise is weak, or when a decision maker has limited experience (or limited competence) and builds faulty financial projections, it's time to cut losses.

Usually, you submit a letter of intent (LOI) and if chosen by the seller, you start negotiating for the sale agreement.

@David Gamble what's the nature of the business?

The rarer bird on this forum is the investor who has chosen to be on the finance side, almost exclusively.

If @Jason Dalka can find a way make it happen, MIL's finances will be in a good position.In terms of the quality of care, we agree on the need for due diligence of the chosen provider - be it a new doctor, elder care facility, pharmacy, or other, and regardless of whether or not they accept Medicaid.  

Avoid operation of a private or commercial golf course, country club, massage parlor, hot tub facility, suntan facility, racetrack, gambling establishment, or a store whose principal business is the sale of alcohol for consumption off premises.The 4th requirement is of particular importance with regard to the real estate company in your hypothetical. 

Most wealth advisors are salesmen gambling with your money to make themselves a handsome commission .

If you want to gamble a little this could be a long term payoff but must being able to deal with the monthly loss.

Donald Cressey is The Fraud Triangle: 1- A perceived unshareable financial need. 2- Perceived opportunity. 3- Rationalization.Financial pressures change in life, medical care for aging parents, a family member becomes ill, college costs, mid-life crisis, substance addictions and gambling, jealousy/feeling "owed" or wronged, social pressures to "get ahead"...The biggest losses are always where there are no checks & balances, no separation of duties, no policies and procedures in place. 

As more and more tourist income comes from non-gaming activities at least it's less dependent on gambling.