A successful short-sale typically benefits the borrower (homeowner) in the following ways: it can give them more time in the house (and payment-free); it is better than a foreclosure from a credit report perspective and wold allow him to obtain a new purchase loan for a new home in the future more quickly as compared to having it go through foreclosure.I would encourage you both to reach out to a local realtor with short-sale experience and have them facilitate the transaction, it would not cost you or the owner the commission as it would be paid out of the bank's proceeds.No, in a short-sale I would definitely not offer any payments to him directly that are not known and approved by the bank, you can get yourself in hot water and probably legal trouble by doing that on a short sale.

I had a meeting with the trouble tenant with a facilitator going through parking limitation and he said he was ok with it.

There are numerous articles on the internet that talk about this perceived issues and reputable ones disprove any problems.

It's tax law, so there are numerous exceptions, restrictions, and extensions on that "section 121 exclusion", but that's the general concept.)Since the property was gifted to you, you have the the gifter's basis in the property.

Just providing information that will "solve some buyers problem"   From numerous BP podcasts I have heard to always try to solver another persons problem.  

No unfortunately not, if your main source of income is active real estate investing and doing numerous deals per year, then its considered income.

The attorney there can draw up a simple purchase contract and facilitate the purchase and closing.

We have all experienced wiping out a year or more of positive cash flow in a single expense or numerous expenses in quick succession but realise over the long haul we will/should come out ahead if we buy right.

I hoped someone would have a recommendation for a good 1031 facilitator to use in the Atlanta area. 

As plan facilitators, we have a responsibility to take a generally conservative approach and point clients down a safe path.