Most realtors are too quick to try to gloss over various issues thinking that by making it seem like there are less problems the sale is more likely to occur faster, maybe that's true but it'll just anger a savvy buyer if things are missed.

The metrics for long term growth that made investors turn to Columbus still hold true and most of the job creation projects, like intels micro chip factory https://time.com/6140476/intel-building-factory-ohio/ haven't even been completed yet. 

The anecdote that @Michael Baum is unfortunate but true.

I've been through 10 GCs so I took my lumps in order to learn, but now I'll warn others:  They'll say they can do anything, if their price is too good to be true - it is, they'll say they work toward a standard but they do not. 

You're probably one of those Yuppies that goes around looking at yelp reviews before you eat or shop somewhere. 

Our best offer would have been $175k and that holds true for today.

Just to really drive the point home on how easy most of these owners are to find if you're using a true quality skip trace service, feel free to message me and I'll personally run a couple for you and send you full reports on the owners and possibly the owners' relatives if I see anything that makes me think you should be contacting relatives.  

Am I alone in finding that in today's market, wholesalers tend to be able to bring properties at the same price points as you can find by shopping at foreclosure auctions?

In turn the seller can take action against you because there is an agreement between you and the seller.This is true UNLESS you did this deal as an actual "assignment" and the contract between you and the seller has "or assigns" as the buyer and you notified the buyer of the change in buyers prior to the deal falling apart.

Quote from @Branden Rivero: The issue I see is the building is close to 100 years old and with a $500 hoa it's not an easy sale for an investor Yes, thats true however all expenses the past year increase insurance, sewer, trash, electric and cleaning service.