You may consider fine tuning your skills or finding the right people to work with (contractor, mentor, agent, lender, etc) before moving forward on a deal I stopped referring contractors years ago for a number of reasons. 

Have some patience, you will most likely be talking to engineers with minimal English skills, so keep that in mind.

I know it is difficult to explain over a forum how the mood of the conversation was but I feel I could have locked in the deal if my negotiating skills were better.

That means both of your deals are using the same leverage, the real difference is time and skills.

I would also be curious to see if they are finding the availability of skilled labor challenging, and if so, any strategies to address it.

I think this will be good to develop presentation skills.

I don't quite have the skill set or the time to do that though.

He's very skilled and capable of everything from roofing to finish carpentry.  

@Brian Singer I think I get it--you want to JV with a syndicate sponsor where they'd raise the money and you would contribute your skills at either finding deals or rehabbing units?  

Same document sheds light on your other thread in re:"In dealing with the buyer, a seller's agent should (a) exercise reasonable skill and care in performance of the agent's duties; (b) deal honestly, fairly and in good faith; and (c) disclose all facts known to the agent materially affecting the value or desirability of the property, except as otherwise provided by law."