I'm thinking that repairing the plumbing leaks and getting the soil dried out could be a permanent solution.   

It is likely your best solution will be a foreclosure or deed in lieu.

There are often creative solutions when you get others involved who have experience or resources.It sounds like you’re determined, and with some outside-the-box thinking, you’ll find a way to make this happen.

Even with a shared bathroom and living room, your place is likely much nicer than the average extend-stay motel, so if your rents are competitive, then you can likely serve this avatar.You may find that a 5/2 is an acceptable temporary housing solution for a family displaced after an insurable loss (fire, flood, etc.).

This is the best long term solution. 

However, between the much lower mortgage interest rate in Europe and a better tax treatment in the US, I'd choose the former.

A better solution, in my opinion, is not to rely on wholesalers,  as not only is it a dying breed due to the sheer incompetence they exhibit due to gurus' wrong instructions and teachings, but, wouldn't it be better to generate your own leads through a high performing website?

There are quite a few solutions out there so that even the most tech challenged person can pay electronically.

With a push to bring more manufacturing back to the U.S. and more employees returning to office work, there will be a greater need for mass transit solutions rather than building more roads lowering the quality of living if you want that SFH with a yard.

@Andrew Grimmett If a seller is hesitant due to capital gains taxes, consider creative solutions: suggest an installment sale (seller financing) to spread tax liability over time, a 1031 exchange to defer taxes by reinvesting in another property, or a structured sale for flexible deferred payments.