- If the settlement amount, plus what they can walk away with at the closing table is to their liking, would they consider selling? 

Long term, I would like to just keep buying and holding, I would like my W2 job to be a supplemental income with my real focus being in real estate, and if I do decide to quit my job, that will hopefully be a realistic option on the table. 

I am hungry to learn and can definitely bring a lot to the table to aid you having a vast electrical/mechanical background. 

Whatever method brings the most $ will be determined... and then the auctioneer will notify the bidders how the property(ies) will be sold and will open up final bidding until everything is sold.Of course every auctioneer has their own unique way of doing this, but that is the general idea.

My wife and I are in the process of analyzing a unique deal.

Newport is a great town, but a very unique market.The desirable parts of Newport can be expensive, and are generally above the max VA loan amount.

As Brent, Mike and Doug point out if he sells with a realtor he gets nothing and may have to come to the table with $. 

My husband has stable job for over 10 years, but makes about 30% more doing side jobs under the table.

This puts us in front of more homeowners and we have the unique advantage that we can offer them to either restore the property or purchase it.  

You're right that I'm leaving money on the table, but in practice it doesn't matter because there are more of the deals I want to do than I have time to do anyway.