Get out there and visit some local REI meetups, try to find out who's using strategies that interest you and try to get their ear and see how they're doing it.

On the other hand  - rest assured everyone reading this thread feels very bad for you and your mom.  

... and as a contractor, his pay is [mostly] assured.

And, when it sells next time, that square footage won't be included in the appraisal, but someone will buy it again.Either that, or the owner will screw up, have the city visit the property, and get slapped with a code enforcement case to convert it back to a garage.

I always recommend that this include a visit to the area the first time you are buying.  

Speaking of events, has anybody here visited the "EXPO REAL" in Munich?

@Tim DebronskyI’ve visited the Lorain area and fell in love.

Visit with more agents if you don't have a basis with your agent or you don't come away feeling they have your interests foremost in the relationship.  

I feel like i visit my property too many times to collect rent and there are no checks in the box. 

I typically visited the project at 7am in the morning and was greeted by moms taking their kids to school, and that is frankly the impression that I am left with.