Great to have you onboard. 

Even if the owner was on the hook for a commission it would either complicate the deal and the owner would look to you to "help" with the resolution now that you are "committed" to the deal or the PM might just drag you into court with the owner to get everyone "on board".

In homes i've worked with in the past I usually skip trace the next of kin, then give them a ring to see if they can get all the decision makers for the property on board to have a conversation with me! 

(If you develop a reputation of buying distressed properties and improving them, you become an asset to the community)Place ads on boards at Nursing & Retirement Homes: Frequently residents need to sell a house.Consider placing Door Hangers on target properties: You can also use pre-printed post-it notes to leave messages at target properties.

Talking about the HELOC with my wife, she didn't seem on-board with the idea.

I wouldn't just go ahead and do it without her really being onboard .

Of course, I'm not sure what the rehab costs would be but if you own it free and clear, that may be enough skin in the game to have any lender come on board.

We still have faith in the properties and know we can make money if we have the right people on board. 

I did my best to respect the other passengers but sometimes these things happen and your not going to cancel flying back home because of it.. 

(Bainbridge and Bremerton are car + passenger, though the fast ferries are foot traffic only).