You're correct in saying that it is misleading to say "there are no deals on the MLS" because a deal has a very different meaning to each individual.

Smaller banks, credit unions, and hard money lenders may have an individual or department that you could contact regarding the REO asset.

For SEP and qualified plans, net earnings from self­employment is your gross income from your trade or business (provided your personal services are a material income­ producing factor) minus allowable business deductions To learn more about self-employment income rules, see the following. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employed-individuals-tax-center

And by a small operator, I am referring to contemplating getting started and researching whether this could be a viable and legally acceptable strategy for an individual looking to do a few deals a year, but potentially exceeding the magic state set number for private sales.

I totally understand that he's likely not going through every e-mail individually. 

I have seen this problem rampant in UT as well with low appraisals and I bet all across the country just due to the fact that supply is so low and demand is so high we are appreciating so quickly that appraisers cannot keep up.

Identify the zoning characteristics, political environment, and real estate market demand parameters for each parcel.With the wide variety of sites you delineate, there is a wide range of different development characteristics to research, design, entitle, and sell or build for each project.

At the very least an attorney can help write a strong demand letter that will give the receipts more authority.

Not sure how you can demand seller for repair since it was never brought up.

You will then report the information reported on this K-1 on your individual tax returns.Whether this is a fix and Flip or rental property will make a huge difference on how the partnership will report the information on the tax return.I normally suggest that beginners can track their expenses in Excel.