Incidentally this is the perfect scenario where a checkbook IRA is going to be far superior to having to go through the custodian for every transaction. 

It forces me to get real familiar with my business and how my properties are performing.

It wasn’t a massive deal—our expected assignment fee was $10,000—but when you’re growing a business, every opportunity matters.Everything seemed to be moving smoothly until the title search revealed a major roadblock: the mortgage discharge couldn’t be cleared because the person who needed to sign off was deceased.

In Texas, as a licensed agent, you’re generally required to use TREC-approved forms for real estate transactions unless an exception applies, like (I believe) leases longer than 1 year or where no TREC form exists.

However, seeing as though I have already sourced the deal myself, would it still be in my best interest to use a realtor for this transaction if it works out? 

Prohibited Transactions: Avoid transactions with "disqualified persons" (yourself, family, etc.).Alternatively, consider leveraging a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) to access capital for investments.

A benefit of this setup is that VRBO still processes payments and handles the transaction.

My mum currently lives there, she is 80 and not very well, but you would also become a tenant in common and as such if you had the time you could profit 100% from the transaction, as I need cash urgently and am willing to heavily discount the asset.I am wondering if there is a market out there where someone wants to get a foothold in the London market by buying my part of the property.

Also be open to knowing that you are acquiring a series of problems.You're in the solution business. 

All the add-ons are a la carte so you can definitely get a lot of value based on what you need.One thing I personally don't like is that when tenants pay rent, they are charged $1 per transaction for ACH use.