You know, it was my intention to not buy anything until I had completely exhausted my free resources - but there's something about walking into a bookstore that gets me every time....

I am an area expert having done exhaustive research for years.

I would not look to private or hard money until you have exhausted commercial, provided you are after complexes with a qualify number of units for commercial finance.  

With that said, I had a feeling it may be tough to find something like this but being the "real estate guy" in our circle, I wanted to exhaust all resources first and see if anybody had secured real estate spaces for something like this using techniques found in the residential world.

I would exhaust that option first if I found myself in your shoes.

We've exhausted all the usual channels: cragslist, postulates, MLS, rent.com, uloop, and of course being syndicated to all the zillows and trulias out there – even some of the more local listings like chapelhillrent.com and Daily Tar Heel (UNC publication), but nothing is coming through other than the regular spam through craigslist.

Is there already a chimney / flue for the heater's exhaust?

(I see you're a Pro member)Exhaust every marketing opportunity you can possibly find and up to and including the weekend "Great ROI rent house 4 sale - Call xxx-xxx-xxxx" bandit signs in the area around the property.

I think that might be perceived as hostile and you want to exhaust alternatives to foreclosure if possible.

Both were effectively sold off the market.I've also heard Loopnet is a good source, but there is a fee for more exhaustive searches.