What is it you are seeking @Rachel Ash

Find a lender/broker who is very familiar with these loans and you should be fine.You do not have to pay the fee if you are a: Veteran receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability, ORVeteran who would be entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability if you did not receive retirement or active duty pay, ORSurviving spouse of a Veteran who died in service or from a service-connected disabilitysource: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/purchaseco_l...Source for how much your funding fee  will be:  https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/documents/do...Curious as to why you are exempt from property taxes.

@Martinis JacksonThere are companies that specialize in this area and some are active on BP.

But you need A to assist with giving you/title company authorization to speak with bank for payoff. 3- Quiet title is good to clean up junk like this but it wont work here because the bank is actively foreclosing on the property.

@John Semanchuk is right that there is a lot of activity on that street and will hopefully be removed from the AE zone come Dec 2018.

I am about to get my salesperson license in Maryland and the state requires a minimum of 3 years of active salesperson experience in order to get my broker's license.

I think what you are looking for is someone trained in the ways of real estate investing - an agent that will:Introduce you to FSBO's - Expired Listings and other real estate opportunitiesWill be your fiduciary representativeWill make offers for you on suitable real estateWho understands creative financing; delayed settlement, seller assisted financing, assignment, wholesaling, REO, tenant selection, soft money mortgages, tax salesWho will be responsive to your financial goals and a person of integrity and trustHelp with direct mail and street marketing to locate transactionsHousing and rent court marketingAbsolute aware of financial and contract clauses as well as contract engineeringCan assist in - delayed settlement - automatic extension, performance mortgages, subordination, principal mortgages, options and joint venturesAware of bidding on REO, forclosures, tax sales and public auctionsUp to speed on commercial real estate, lots and land as well as businesses with real estateHow should you treat this wonderful person (if you can find one) -They should have a commitment from in the form of a Fiduciary Buyers Brokers AgreementYour agreement to pay them a commission on any non-listed deals they bring youA bonus agreement for great deals that you closeA gas budget - or a cash payment for gas Kind words and respectTo be sincere and active with the agentRespect from youFirst class training on how to represent youSometimes an equity interest in the great deals the agent has initiatedListings when you are ready to sellYour cooperation - all your financials, tax returns and other information that will help your agent close dealsA few free lunches ----Good luck --- Charles

Seek legal counsel or the right answer.There is no quick fix for dealing with a flooded house.  

Real estate investing is something you can do actively for the next 50-60 years.

I don't think seeking appreciation is purely speculation but seeking appreciation while having negative cash flow can be a dangerous game.