Your lender should have a strong influence on your contractor as the source of the money.

I could make some money with the licence itself with my circle of influences but I am much more interested in hussling for myself.

Time heals all mistakes, and once you realize the influence that time has on wealth-building with long term investments, you're hooked.

That would influence the deal quite a bit.

This cycle is being impacted by so many influences (world economies, internet sales, warehousing, energy costs, consumer confidence, residential bubble, governmental regulations and taxes, etc., etc.): but, the bigger players have been acquiring portfolios and/or investing for the last two years.

Well, just got back from the dentist, so I'm under the influence, but still;1.

From my past experience the only one with much influence to getting them to accept the real value is the listing agent.

I would want to spend time with each one individually – no influences or distractions.Once you dive in, you should start to get a feel for it.

That conversation influenced my decision to rent it out short-term until I can reposition/add some amenities and see where else I might take it (furnished rental?

If you fund the senior debt, you have a bit more influence because you can potentially foreclose if things get sideways, although that can get dicey because your partner (using the term loosely) will likely claim that you have fiduciary duties to him on the equity side, and can't favor your own interests on the debt side over his.