It's not your job to solve her problems.

This would be our first mortgage, and we're wondering if it's wise to pursue this specific opportunity or find another one.

While I'm eager to dive into this opportunity, I'm seeking insights on whether this market is the right fit for a foreign investor like myself. 

Did the entire job ourselves because we had to in order to have a home to live in.

I am currently based in Boston but can move to Atlanta and keep my job from October onwards.

@Michael Plaks is spot on - character wise, 1099-R income falls in the same "bucket" as a W-2 wage would be, thus to offset this income with real estate losses, it follows the exact same pathway (ST rental with material participation or REP status with traditional rentals), but since you don't have all your time sucked up with a W-2 job, you have much greater flexibility to hit those related hours thresholds under those paths as well.No idea if he's taking clients - but if you are looking for local(ish) and qualified in TX, Michael is also likely a great one to reach out to.

They will usually give her the opportunity to negotiate a deal with you and make the complaint go away.

He has done a great job for us over the years and from time to time will swap out insurance providers as needed for better rates, better coverage, etc.  

Great job at getting ahead of the curve! 

Track down the new owner of the debt to complete the short sale and wake a sleeping creditor who doesn't need to play ball; or ignore it somehow (bad title company) and the new parties in interest get foreclosed from first lien position by somebody just waiting for the opportunity to squeeze everyone.