One of the # 1 rules of real estate is not to try to stick a square peg into a round hole.

They are literally posts sitting in a hole carved into a boulder.

No matter their story, sometimes life has dug a hole too deep for them to ever be able to pay you again.

This led me to looking at bank owned properties for around 10,000 to 15,000 however every single one (even though fixed up nicely each would only be worth 35,000-40,000) had something seriously wrong with it from mold infestation to a giant hole in the ceiling to literally being condemned due to foundation issues.

They are asking for mediation, even though its not their primary residence, and they have let a hole in the roof really damage the building, coupled with not paying taxes for years, we saved it from tax sale and asking our attornies to dismiss the frivilous mediation request, which has stopped our foreclosure in its tracks.So, its painful in judicial states, and less painful in states like AL & GA.

RealeFlow or ListSource should have that for you, and the benefit of having that list could also be if you drill down the rabbit hole, you can find the corporation/person who is buying those houses with cash, so you can try to get in touch with them.Congrats on the new venture with your husband.

There were a litany of major repairs needed (structural work, mold infestation, an unusable garage that needed full replacement, broken a/c, big hole in roof, etc. etc. etc.).  

You are caught up in the bureaucratic black hole.

They don't have as much money to benefit from some of the loop holes that wealthy individuals take advantage of.The rich fight taxes with money. 

Both of you should have substantial incomes that will allow you to escape from the hole you have dug for yourself, but it's going to require much more discipline from you and your wife.