Moderator, we have no financial relationship with any guru :B ] after we canceled promptly there were no additional billings either time.

You probably have good relationships locally so I would first think maybe upgrading to more units (if you like landlording and management) by selling the duds and then consider what you want to get into.

It was a very one-sided relationship.

Quote from @Theodore Sutton: Check out the site meetup.com and also the events page on BP for meetings up in your area to meet people like this and build relationships.

Often times, you're locked into a years-long relationship.

Then you specialize or hire legal, operations, finance, investor relationships, concept, deal analysis, Which investment level your at determines what experience you need.  

We've been very friendly and respectful to each other, and just don't want to ruin that kind of tenant-landlord relationship.

I am still a bit leery about Safeguard's relationship with this particular borrower and even the closing agent.

The coaches I've had who worked with me where I was were the best and I still have unpaid relationships with several.  

It's all about building trust and relationships, and in the long run, that will pay off way more than just trying to squezze a specific deal.