I am completely blocked.  

The letters are pretty vague and when you look on the EPA website they talk about a 10-year initiative.

That is the thing that will eventually get you over the hump, not talking to realtors who, for the most part, don't know anything about working with investors and have heard the "once I get this first property, I am going to keep going" dialogue a million times.If you want to market yourself, the best thing to do is to walk a five-block radius that you really want to buy in.

I have an up-down duplex a few blocks to the west in the Sheridan neighborhood - both units are 1+Den/1BA apartments. 

Please verify with zoning and ask them for a verification letter so you can have approval on hand.

Above those two, scheduling and time blocking are usually where people are failing.

Quote from @Donna Johnson: Quote from @Judy Foster: we too have tried a small investment in their notes and we got the same letter yesterday. 

Its the "blocking and tackling" and going with the basics that keep you out of 90% of the problems that we see people have.

If it came from your parents, you may need a gift letter from them stating that it's gift and does not need to be repaid.

Thank for that information as I am having the same problem but the family is still in the property and won't respond to the attorney that send them a lot of letter and phone call.