However, all they could say was that they weren't cut out for it, that somehow I'm different than the average person.Maybe I am.

Just that the market combined with your state of mind tells me clean break.You can sell all as a package and 1031 into a passive investment and collect your 7% - 8% for the next 20 years but its too small for a big group without a  huge hair cut. 

Last night one of them set up a circular saw and was cutting wood for their bonfire at 9:00 at night.  

If you get some deals done, a smaller company/attorney may cut you a deal if you keep bringing them work. 

I don't think this is cut and dry but i typically try and see what might need to be done to occupy it, how strong the market is and what do you have to do to get a deal done because you don't want to pass an opportunity for paying a little on the upside but also don't want to overpay on something that has some question marks on it as well ( plus this is work you have to do which it would be good to be compensated for ) 

Preferably within 10 miles of my house to cut down on travel time.

Stop nickel and diming your expense cuts, and cut the big expense items, not the small ones! 

However, I don't know anyone that will cut a check by monday for a million dollars. ;-) They have no clue who you are and aren't going to risk losing a cool million.

I just closed on the selling of my first house yesterday, here are the stats: Bought: March 30th, 2015Sold: November 14th, 2017Purchase Price: $57,500Selling Price: $77,119My Cut: $20,534.12I bought the house when I was 20, lived in it the entire time, and did nothing to it as far as adding value (example: remodeling).

He said he could either he cut off at 18, or do something of value.