Your issue is selling the notion you bought the property you’re selling “as a long term investment”...not sure “some one made me an offer” will differentiate that from a flip.  

They are contributing to our housing affordability crisis because they are so high...

And we're wary of those who want to overbuild and overpopulate; particularly when those coming in do little to contribute to our tight knit communities. 

I also think that those "outside factors you have no control over" that contribute to a neighborhood improving have been a guessing game, but are actually able to be tracked because of advances in technology over the past couple of years. 

What Rod said is correct, come and meet some investors/landlords and see what their needs are and what you can contribute.

I'm dubious that the contribution is as large as they say it is.  

Looking to learn more about investing more, and contribute what I can.

Most partners aren't contributing a large percentage of the investment in sweat equity, so if your partner walks out (or has to be "fired"), typically it's time and headaches that are the result, not large amounts of money. 

You should value these friends' time and make sure you are contributing in some way some kind of value to them. 

Keep up the great contributions sir!!