I've called several people this evening, was only unsuccessful with 1, and made contact with a relative for an elderly owner for another...

If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it's a duck.The OP described a wholesaling situation pretty precisely, but even if she's not a wholesaler, screwing sick, elderly, desperate and confused people is still beyond reprehensible.As to the banks, there is no indication that a lender did anything wrong here. 

Although I’ve met some really financially irresponsible elders in my years.

@Wayne Brooks with no 'fee' I'll have no way to care for my elderly mother. 

An elderly woman's family was selling it for her, the home was vacant for approximately a year, and MANY of her unwanted belongings were left behind.

It was a very long and complicated negotiation, took 3 months and included 2 elderly sisters that were not on speaking terms.

As an example, in a senior park where a long term tenant moves to a elderly care facility and puts the home for sale. 

House was being sold by husband and wife who's elderly mother who lived in it passed away.

I am interested in purchasing the home of an elderly couple who wants to sell. 

The investor will offer the following:Cash transaction;A quick sale closing with no inspection; andYou can leave behind any items you don’t want.The problems begin when the homeowner is elderly, alone, and doesn’t know the true market value of their property:They may have purchased their property over 20 years ago for $50,000, $100,000, or maybe $200,000.That same property now could have a market value of $300,000, $400,000 or even $500,000.The idea that they purchased the property 20 years ago for $120,000 and are now being offered $220,000 sounds appealing to these homeowners – their mortgage might be paid off and they will make $100,000 – sounds good right?