However, it only takes one bad person to completely ruin our experience, and we need always be prepared for them as you never know who the bad guy is until it's too late.For next time, find an assignment contract template that outlines the deal involved and the specifications involved.I hope this deal worked out for you, and the seller was a man of his word and paid you for your ability to connect them with an off-market buyer.

Are you looking at any outlining areas of Nashville and Middle Tennessee?  

While it would still liquidate my cash assets (and potentially require me to take out lines of credit/tap into my IRA) it would be for a shorter term with greater immediate return.

On the schedule E under lending guidelines for Freddie/Fannie loans as outlined in Regulation Z  25% of the income reported is not counted (this is to account for vacancies and maintenance). 

And if you're paying by commission, you should probably get a contract outlining how they're paid.

Here is a portion of an email I received from Hilton Hotels this morning (03/12/20).It outlines what Hilton is doing about this situation.

If you had some sort of verbal agreement that they would provide guidance in return for a percentage on your deals, then that should have been outlined very clearly upfront.

We are nor panicking instead trying to think though some scenarios and communicate/plan on paper . 1.Ownership:1.Create a “Medial Power of Attorney” to take over decision control if any/all owners get sick 2.Communicate ownership delegation with property manager2.Property Manager/Other Employees:1.Communicate CDC requirements 2.Outline and agree upon rent collection work process if city were to shut down 3.Outline and communicate a call tree identifying repair personnel 3.Safety:1.For employees: Release funds to buy protective gear while working within premise 2.For tenants: Communicate 2 times a week with CDC requirement as COVID19 is a REPDI development 3.For Owner: Identify all elderly tenants and communicate with them to call CDC if they would show any sign4.For Owner: Identify companies who does preventive medical grade clearing if any cases to be identified within premise. 4.Insurance :1.Confirm with current insurance to avoid and potential liability from owner to tenant negligence perspective 5.Operations:1.Review plan for marketing to get tenants if people were to leave during outbreak 2.Review plan for eviction during shutdown (if any) 3.Review cash position: 10 months cash supply covering 10 month of debt payment .

As for conventional lenders, these would be even fewer and further between.As @Erik Hatch mentions, a preapproval letter is not hard or time consuming to get, you can typically get one within an hour, but make sure you are outlining to any lender what your deal specifics are, meaning little or no money down. 

@Rion RedingerYou can't use a Self-directed IRA to invest in your business.You would need to consider a ROBS transaction.Here is a good outline of important considerations in choosing a ROBS provider: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/how-to-choose-the-right-robs-provider-when-financing-a-business/