The alternative would be to buy a lot and build a new 4,500 sq ft home.

Roma in Mexico City is an awesome area for lifestyle but there's but STRs are going to be regulated there and possibly banned and LTRs are not a profitable alternative.

I'd try setup an alternative for her. 

I've been an investor and broker for the last 10 years in FL and NC, and specialize in the mountain regions, and beach regions because that's where most of the tourists, and investors who want getaways, invest (certainly there are many other interesting markets to invest however, booming wine country for example..)To add to it, I love the environmentally responsible home building, that's something I've had an interest in for a while, and I've worked with several contractors and architects in the last few years to come up with a useful plan for alternative and environmentally responsible building materials. 

I buy the used courses on ebay and I listen to them over and over and over and over and over again when I'm in my truck on the road  until I know whats going to be said next before they say it.

I suppose if your numbers aren't working, you certainly have to look for alternatives.

What I mean by that is you need to have alternate properties you own support other properties you own. 

I recently listed some land and I'm looking for advice on alternative marketing strategies.

Can anyone advise on if this is true, and, if so why and what alternatives can be put in place to still allow us to do the work personally?

I am open to an alternative solution but they seem like they using intimidation tactic via email like call my strategy theft (something I take offense to) and that they will not pay and I should figure out the impossible.