You could also ask for your portion of closing and assistance with repairs.

Pulled this link from the internet regarding a description of contract for deed, which looks like what you are describing.  

I am looking to network with investor friendly realtors who can assist me with comps in NC?? 

Chad, dont know if you remeber meeting Jerry Myers at one of the meet ups but she might be able to assist you also.

I have been told and have done my own research on the fact that you should always seek assistance from an attorney before having anyone sign anything.

(With a full time job I'm going to be heavily reliant on a team of professionals to assist - Prop Mgr, Contractor etc)Thanks!

As I assist them with the sourcing and purchase of properties, I can only speak to that with new properties which may come forward.  

I was assisting a family member who was looking to purchase a multi tenant office building  as an income property.  

Foreclosure, in my mind, was not an option because I didn't want to pay the price and also, the home has a 1st lien that is 50k more than the value of the home, so I didn't see how foreclosing from 2nd position would put me in a better place anyway.Also, I have not been able to reach the homeowner through my own means of internet research, letter campaign to her two addresses, or by sending out an agent to the home (which is vacant).  

Are there any service providers that we need to have in place in advance of a transaction to assist with the wholesale transaction (i.e., Attorney, Accountant, etc)?