I have some skills somewhere in my trunk of experience that could possibly be useful and i have a ton to learn!

Maybe trade their legal work on it for a small share in the deal.

If so, no lender will lend you on the house and no title co will insure the transaction.Second would be specific language in the land contract that would be prohibiting such loansThird would be state laws governing land contracts.Fourth would be general contract law, deceptive trade practices, etc.

I'm one of the rare ones that continues to spend time on the boards when I should be working on my new management agreement, two new employees, new web site, news article, trade show materials, and 57 other things that went neglected while I typed this response. ;) 

After a while of some successful trading those same naysayers did exactly that.

Now that I'm older, I'm thinking that I have no retirement, I'm in debt with student loans, and I now don't have a job because my skills aren't up to date. 

That would be ideal since they already know his skill set and are willing to pay him.

The thing to remember is that Judges get to make the decision on enforceability and they are likely to consider the equability of the trade of rights for the offer of monetary gains.Many major operators in Michigan learned the error of their ways via the courts and an expensive lesson it was. 

Trade Me is probably a good place to start when looking for properties to buy.

Ideally - skills and benefits / rolls and responsibilities would compliment each other without conflict and a lot of overlap.