That aside, as I dig deeper, and delve further down the rabbit hole, it seems to me that this "acquire subject to and lease option" stuff is an REI Trojan horse.  

She’s said some nasty things out of desperation and I’ve alway come back with polite yet firm responses, trying not to get emotionally involved.  

Enough information in a timely fashion to keep you updated but also allow the Property Manager to effectively run their business without putting you through an unnecessary emotional roller coaster ride.

But the lady who is the victim had a dream to create a retreat for addictions  as her daughter had passed away from an OD .. so it was her mission and she was far more emotionally involved with this other than just losing 10k.. to these fraud's.

Leave your emotions in the bedroom.I can often fall victim to hubris.

Then those who succeed swoop and and buy your house you love because you ran it emotionally and not like a business... people here have ‘tried’ to help but you’re one of the least receptive people I’ve seen on this forum.

I know if I am aware of the emotion, but don't let it control me that it'll pass and is usually followed by with a burst of motivation.

I want to dive a little deeper and I think I will continue working on acquiring an investment property while, as you mentioned, networking to assist others in buying and selling. 

You can require insurance as part of the rental but that won't cover the "emotional" value of things.

You may become friendly with them overtime, but because you already had a clear conversation you can follow your system and remove any emotion from the process.