If you are really determined to sell your house FSBO, contact all the local brokerages and sign an agreement that if any of their agents bring a buyer, you'll pay X commission.

If you can't find this, go to the city and get a determination of the zone. 

The vet will be able to determine if the ferret has fleas.

We would prefer to deal with a local private lender who understand this market (Washington DC) and can quickly determine if he or she wants to invest with us. 

I was going to use that $11k to invest in a property, but I'm uncertain how to determine if that $11k is worth $200/mo.

No other homes in the area have sold so its hard to determine market value.

My advice to you as you are beginning is to determine what you want from real estate.

When it comes to buying/selling a house, the MARKET should be the entity which determines what should be done to a house before it is sold. 

My only other option to not pay mortgage insurance forever seemed to be a conventional loan with a much higher down payment and only pay until I reached 20% equity.I was determined to find something better.

And then to talk to people implementing the options you're considering to determine whether it is a good fit for you personally.