(Hint: it has to do with how "leverage" works in real estate!)

Your post has a real hint of FOMO.

If you pay them diret and hint to them the comps you suggest because you're trying to come in lower, then they are more likely to do that.To me, I would just use a couple of low end sold comps and call it a day. 

Other one I did its just moving along fine no worrisome e mails no hints of cash calls superior communications etc etc.

I'd attack the credit report :) 1) lower (pay down) whatever accounts have a high utilization percentage 2) contact each of 3 major consumer credit agencies and get a free report, then dispute every hard inquiry that is *NOT* associated with an open account 3) call the credit cards you already have established and ask for a credit line increase -- often can be done online and they do not verify income, hint hint. 

(HINT: It doesn't much matter where these sellers happen to be located.

Hint: perhaps he tried and no REA wanted to touch his dilapidated junk.

Seriously, you didn't get the hint the bazillion of times it was said before? 

His hint was that it is the responsibility of the contractor and PM to make sure it is secured as they knew I was not in town on a regular basis.  

I'll give you a hint there was very little, I mean a minute, percentage of BTR vs BTS in yesteryears and it's significantly up this time.