Sounds like you need to wholesale to build some cash.Even with no money down deals you will have closing costs and title to pay.Given the market the good properties will have multiple offers attached to them.As far as properties being listed awhile and not selling this is very common.It's called the "watch and wait" game.The "bid-ask gap" difference is what the buyers will pay under what terms and what the seller is asking for and under what terms.It doesn't matter who the seller is as far as they all need to go through a selling process.At first expectations are inflated,then reality sets in but there is resistance,then the seller gives in and starts chasing the market down,finally the seller gets realistic at a price and terms a buyer will do a deal at.This is why you see properties go through foreclosure and list at a crazy price.No activity is on the property until multiple markdowns have occurred.Then suddenly once it hits a certain price the buyers come out of the woodwork to finally bid.You have to find an off market deal where you are the only game in town or time the list price where it is about to be marked down but not yet and get under contract for a much lower then current asking price before the competition bids on it.

The initial reaction if you are asking how to find someone is resistance, but if you frame the question like you are trying to help them out and offer $ to someone if they put you in contact with the owner they'll do work for you.

My latest investments have been passive rather than active...in MHP and SS.  8-10% preferred returns, IRR in the high teens+, top tier operators in the country, 20+ year track records, recession resistant asset classes. 

But when I ask questions about their status, it’s met with resistance.

A good quality laminate or vinyl flooring will last longer and be more resistant to wear and tear.

I know some folks out that way and might be able to connect you.I can understand your resistance to working with hard money lenders (I am one!)

out to a nice lunch (we can't resist offerings of food!).  

These recession resistant investments can make steady returns and offer plenty of resale opportunities.These are the most common types of real estate investments that you may be interested in pursuing.

A suggestion might be to remove off the market and resist a day later so it can look like new listing.As many others suggested.

Hvac tech hereChange the filter, call it a day.As others said, dont expect anything from someone cutting you a check to liveIf its a furnace, the heat exchanger can crack from poor airflow (extreme cases)If its a heatpump, the indoor coil can get clogged if filter was installed improperly, or got sucked through due to high resistance.