Seems like if they were entering into a year-long contract (my assumption in this case) for housing, the "squeeze" of having a single hard pull is very much worth the "juice" of a year's worth of housing.  

Perhaps they view it as a waste of time and a relationship that will bear no fruit. 

I want to start out investing in my local area first just to get a warm and fuzzy and then venture out into other states where the market may be a little more fruitful.

I know that I could go anywhere (including where I currently bank) and get a loan but I thought perhaps it may be a good opportunity to jump start a fruitful relationship. 

Are they in the area near the art gallery or in the Elmwood Village or are they in the fruit belt?

I know Joe as we shared the same aircraft although he moved up to Jet these days.. but coming out of the crash he had to go private money as well.. these are the types of relationships that can bear some serious fruit...

Help me get the creative juices flowing!

All, of who, will share in the fruits of our labor...only on a delayed basis.So we are definitely in a unique situation...however...I have never understood why that is so...I met a carpenter in San Diego once who was working on a restaurant interior...he shared with me that he had a regular job and that this was sideline work (on a Saturday). 

You obviously know and have the juice to get deals done - what do you want day-to-day?  

Sometimes it can feel like it's not bearing any fruit, but being a big networker myself and following-up and focusing more on relationship building and just having solutions to investors problems, the time it takes to do it doesn't bother me.