Seek to understand the challenges of the other party.Every move you make will result in a counter move by the tenant. 

You could roll over the 401k into one of these products and avoid the 10% penalty?

Seek guidance and mentorship through servanthood.And you'll be better served by developing your profile and detailing your interests. 

I'm debating on the strategy here, but I can't say that Lufkin is a destination that I frequent, so I'm seeking some local insight. 

The question really boils down to what you're trying to do and what level of asset protection you seek.

Being a party to a real estate contract does give you equitable interest in real property, so wholesalers are in the clear, again only if they do not engage in marketing the property, but only the contract itself.The article you linked is a summary of real estate brokering activities that require a license in Florida, and potential penalties for engaging in said activities without a license; nothing to do with wholesaling contracts in it, so it doesn't help your case. 

So I don’t think you will be able to have one signor on the mortgage unless you build a relationship and history with the lenderYou should seek an attorney to discuss asset protection with properties and ownership. 

Trying to evict the tenant, but not sure what loopholes are available or if we should seek legal help! 

I am a hands-on landlord but seek someone on the ground that can assist with certain on the ground aspects in Alabama.

There is a whole lot that needs to happen in a short sale and seeing as you don’t have a lot of time I would highly recommend you seek an agent or attorney well-versed in short sales to get this deal together for you.