Attending council meetings to prolong the life of the contract was key.

Time to take a serious look at adjusting your personal life style.

Sound like to need to see professional advice in this area.To your question:  If she is going to stay in the home that needs repairs then you might look into a Reverse Mortgage that will let you pull out enough money to rehab the home and then she can live in it payment free for the rest of her life. 

There will always be fear inducing headlines and a general reaction, but people will get used to it and life will go on. 

Meanwhile going to the real estate clubs and meeting real life investors - I cannot overstate how valuable those connections are.

You are not playing the victim (very important in life) and you are not blaming anyone but yourself (very important in this business).   

I recently found and joined bigger pockets joined became pro, and have made it my life every spare moment i have. 

I received 8 responses from 60 letters, viewed 3 practical properties out of the 8 responses, and bought an awesome duplex that I am currently living in which cost less than 10k out of pocket and will provide me cash flow for life!

Looking to 10X my life, living free with passive income.

@Steven OlsonValuable inside/real life info is worth more than coffee- no donut or pastry, maybe a side of hash browns-LOL?