The CA owner paid $540k in 2006, put about $100k into the property (and it still had a lot of issues) before handing the keys back to the bank.

On the other hand, he didn't know who you were.

Here let me take this non performing asset off your hands at 50 cents on the dollar, and while your at it pay me 5% commission on the deal too lol

If you trying to become a serious investor, work on developing the tools you need for yourself which is figuring out how to evaluate real property and not be so dependent on a real estate agent for all your answers who may not know more about the topic at hand than you.

I decided to wash my hands with this deal and focus on the prize of what is coming.

On the other hand, who cares about how many acres you own, you own the access.Perhaps your three is worth more than their twenty four......think?

I've also handed things over to a property management company given that I'm out of state.The property has been on the market for almost two months.

If you can put together a set of "tools", and present them as "benefits" to other active investors, brokers, etc. you will learn the business hands on, and work yourself up to what you really want to do.

I actually owned 3 buildings and sold to the current owner so I know all the details, expenses first hand.

And although it was mostly information (the books) and not a hand out, it at least got us to the point of understanding where our questions lie.