Pete,Mortgage rates are falling fast and the FED meets September 17th-18th and its a 99.99% they will cut the FED rate by .25. 

For Chattanooga REI meet ups, check Facebook.

Buyers are now responsible for ensuring their agent’s compensation up front before showings take place.When you meet your next agent, consider suggesting a meeting to determine if you’re a good fit for each other.

General investing real estate groups, meet up, and facebook groups are good as well. 

Have a friend list the property with a price or requirement that no one can or will meet, list the property for a couple of weeks then cancel the listing.

Some of the things you have described sounded like the structural integrity of the home could be compromised so it might be more then cosmetic things.

Having worked with institutional investors in the past, they often WANT vertical integration.  

You should be focused on learning more about the strategies you are proposing and going to meetups to meet other investors, and less on how to force action too soon.

I co-host a multifamily meet up group in KC in overland park at Strang Hall.

To be successful in PM, I started cold calling, going to meetups, and meeting every person affiliated with real estate that I could.