I was only able to communicate via text message with this contractor, because he wouldn't pick up the phone, and basically had to fire him via text and then switch locks on the house.Thanks for any help.

We have +300 on our meetup site and we just started the FB group to allow our members a chance to communicate and ask questions more easily. 

Expertise and reputation are more important than their location, as most of the paperwork and communication is done over the phone, or online. 

Those are my main assets in play here, with the retirement account being the first primary source of capital.Through investing, my goal is to generate enough passive income to replace the majority or all of my current pay, which would then allow me to effectively retire from the rat race and focus on my own entrepreneurial goals instead of someone else's.

Now, we knew what to expect as we did an inspection prior to releasing them from the lease, communicated all that with the Section 8 program (they lost their voucher after their case worker so the video and the pictures), but still...I don't wont to be so negative and deny potentially "decent" people a good house to live in, but look at the pictures below!

It will be made very clear (in both my marketing and any verbal communication) to all parties in any potential deal that "Seller understands that Buyer is acting as a principal in the transaction and is not working as a real estate broker representing anyone other than him in the transaction, though he may hold a real estate license."

I initiate them on 90% of deals, but it is only used as a tool to get the borrower to communicate with us.

There should be some written correspondence of this "preliminary approval", by either an email or a communication thru Equator if that is being used.  

When he was looking for a place he met with a realtor but ended up renting so he recommended her to us to use but she has been terrible at communicating.  

I even use Skype and TeamViewer to communicate with clients so I'd highly recommend looking for one of the best with great references that interviews well with you.So look for someone you can connect with that works out for your situation.Feel free to ask here if you have questions.