So while I know other states may have great cashflow, they tend to not have the decade-over-decade appreciation that I've grown up around and makes me feel safe and warm at night.My hope is that there are outlying areas (perhaps like the ones I mentioned) that might be a nice compromise between cashflow and long-term appreciation.

Maybe there is a compromise to be made. 

I learned, that sometimes it's much better to compromise, than to stick to my guns. 

:@Gerardo DominguezI agree and Engelo is a realist he would never mislead his investors to make an extra buck.Thanks for kind words Matt,I'll tell you this mate, if we compromised our integrity and converted just for the purpose of making sales, I'd be a multi multi-millionaire right now.I'd piss of a few people and eventually it would catch up with me.Bankruptcy would be an option and a disappearance to Australia.NOT me mate and definitely NOT Ohio Cashflow.Delayed gratification and reputation is the key to this business.We are building to last...Thanks and much success

If they don't, WAIT and don't compromise.

The one choice they don't have is compromising my representation of the seller. 

As Ned Carey suggests, once you know what the sellers really need and want, then you can work from there to see if there's a chance to make something work for you that won't compromise your short or long-term position.

as a buyer you asked for everything to be fixed, seller screams and says that is unreasonable and agrees to fix a few things, you guys compromise. hopefully the appraiser doesn't make appraisal subject to the repairs. if so you can't get funded and close until the issues are fixed. 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think some of my brand 'luster' would be compromised if/when people see two small kids and a dog being pulled out of a totaled vehicle and the offending party has my business information all over it. 

Now I dont know if the boards review will be comprehensive or name sake , But it is definitely worth it .If I were , I would not try to deal with this first agent as a compromise , especially as you dont have a positive feeling , there is a very good chance he could screw you in other ways .