If you and your fiance are willing to make a couple moves and remodels you could put yourself in a very strong cash position. 

DRE is the one that will go after him i suspect for trust fund commingling it sounds like

It sounds like you've absorbed a bunch of problems already and a new sewer line and the current basement situation will cost you way less than the $50K in fees to sell it. 

If I'm ever in need of a broker in the DE markets, I will reach out. 

The biggest question you need to ask yourself is if you are doing this to afford a property you otherwise couldn’t afford or to save money period, that will lead to very different conclusions about where/if to buy. 

If you go to meetups, you will find friends and future partners.

Use the $11K for marketing instead of for a course which, at best, will be generic and will lead to the next course upsell. 

Utilize any hospitals and insurance companies that are willing to take your call.

I do think MT might see better activity, but also more owner involvement and the added intricasies of furnishings, etc, so if you're willing that might be the better route.

In order to network with wholesalers and lenders the best way to go about it will be to attend the local REIA like The Greater Houston REIA and also joining the local investors facebook groups.