From the numers you gave, it does not sound like a deal to begin with.Anybody who owns a property worth 60k and owes 15k in taxes should not get 17k cash in their pocket.

I would hope to make 25,000 after everything, but i know it is always a little bit of a gamble.

There are numerous ways to build a sold portfolio by the age of 30 you can have 20 properties completely paid off if you want.  

We would like to evict this tenant, but like I said, we have contacted section 8 numerous times and haven't been able to reach them.

Yes the builder has numerous city and other 3rd party inspections but things get missed.

You can see that he has numerous showings, but this guy can't figure out with all the lookers coming, why his house never sold.

I can definitely see the trade-off (both from an agent & broker's perspective) regarding the eduction and "price" of that education i.e. commission splits.I've heard great things about Keller Williams and have received numerous recommendations on their behalf.

You would be gambling on appreciation, and that is speculation.

Both have been mentioned numerous times by guests on the Bigger Pockets podcast and I have detailed notes to both books.

Regardless, you took a gamble and it didn't work out.