Nothing sits on the market for a year that isn't wildly over priced, poorly marketed and/or made difficult to show.Potential buyers have probably tried to see the place and are being denied or some sort of nonsense to make them not want to make an offer.I bet the realtor will have some interesting info to share - or if they won't say anything to you bc their agreement is with your partner kindly share with them that the houses are in your name and the listing's need canceled immediately unless they start cooperating.Have you laywerd up yet?

If I can and house is worth way more than owned example(mortgage remaining is 30k house is worth 150k) could I take the 30k loan over and then pay the 120k on the side?

I think like anything else to some it will be seen as a + and to others a - , but you are the owner so think of it from the business side.

You could knock on doors and find cash owned properties where the seller will owner finance and end up with several notes on several properties to several sellers. 

If not, what happens when neighbor owner isn't maintaining their roof and water leaks are impacting your tenant?  

We currently are house hacking a duplex.

Just tried to hire one myself and they seem so afraid of housing authorities, they have minimal criteria and make no effort to screen.  

@Gp G.Recommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

Have the realtors draft an addendum stating that you are going to take deed/title of the property at close of escrow, but that the seller is going to "rent the house back" from you for a month. 

You can look and see what they pay for our area. usually they pay higher rents to allow section 8 tenants housing.