Under odd titles like 'Strategic Partner', 'Board Member' or 'Advisor' I see the same few names and faces over and over again. 

I don't have an answer for you because what you are asking about is a very personal matter, but you might want to check out resources on career planning.https://www.thebalancecareers.com/career-planning-4161894My strategic planning professor in business school had an appendix in his textbook that covered personal life planning.

Such strategic creativity. 

Or is it generally more applicable as a strategic shorter-term hold since the abatement rate tapers off towards the end of the abatement period...?

One of them mentioned that many of the deals that are being awarded right now are doing something very strategic, although not new by any means.He said that most of the awarded deals are now making their initial earnest money HARD on day one of the contract. 

This way you strategically keep $8k in your bank account - "since cash is king" and you get to finance the costs and escrows into the price.Example:  Suppose 204k was the sellers bottom line. a) 212 with $8k credits towards buyers closing costs & escrows = 204 net to sellerb) 204 with $0k credits towards buyers closing costs & escrows = 204 net to sellerSeller nets the same either way, so just explain to seller that you want to raise keep the credit, and bump the price to whatever price he needs to do that.  

The key here is that she shouldn't feel she needs to go back and do anything else but pursue her deal in the most strategic manner not wait for the circumstances to be perfect. 

I don't know about the location where you live, but I would have to disclose a "noisy neighbor" situation in California.When I sold my personal residence there in 2015, the PRDS (Peninsula Regional Data Service) Supplemental Seller's Checklist form from my realtor asked about items such as (to highlight a few of the 25 categories): animals (squirrels, crows, flying and crawling insects), neighborhood conditions (vehicular traffic noise on the street, aircraft noise from the local airport), and governmental issues (nearby street undergoing a beautification upgrade).Californians might sue each other over the silliest of things, but the lawsuits are real and suck up valuable resources when they happen.

As far as sites like Zillow, scheduling an Open House, lowering the price, or posting their 2-minute video can all boost you back near the top briefly, and your agent will likely plan them strategically.   

I was a little nervous talking with my last responder about there house and wished I had asked more strategic questions.