The prior owner, who's a little delusional and in denial, continues to care for the house. 

We don't hide that by continuing distributions--so we cut those off early to preserve cash reserves. 

Just continue doing what you were doing and don't mess with success.  

the Sunbelt portfolio performance continues to degrade.

If he wants to retire I would definitely play up the continued monthly income side....You might also be able to get him to see that a lower interest rate protects him from a refinance out. 

I have my doubts that anyone reaches that plateau & can only assume your $200 monthly license fee continues until you reach that or quit the program but these are just assumptions at this point as I decided this was not the opportunity for me.

(So yes, you may win the auction for $12,000 owed to the HOA -but now the first mortgager will come after YOU if their primary mortgage isn't paid... and you can be sure the original owner isn't going to continue to pay that if they are out of the house). 

Like @Joel Forsythe said, have written proof of his refusal to complete and even print yout emails and texts showing that you continually requested him to finish up.Then get someone else to finish and let him sue you in SC for the balance.

I'm beginning my subsequent continuing education for my salesperson license, and was wondering what courses you would recommend to look into?

I have been watching the DOM on most of these and midway through 2023 the DOM are continuously counting up.