I'm selling my Seattle rentals to 1) take the money off the table and 2) put into rentals that a better rent to value ratio.

I don't find nearly as many real world, all cards on the table conversations like Scot's. 

Hello from Iron Mountain!

LOLLook at the situation as a series of small hills to get over as opposed to looking at a situation and seeing a mountain to climb is a good outlook.Read through the website and figure out where you want to fit in. 

Don't waste the Investors time with deals that are not deals...Bring only good deals to the table and you wont have a hard time finding a buyer.Hope it helps?

Knowing what is important to the person on the other side of the negotiating table and knowing about THEIR business will make you a better-equipped negotiator and will make for more success.Don't give up, learn what you need to know.  

Your scenarios would be to see if they would partner if you bring the land to the table (and I am sure additional incentives) or have them quote a sq foot price to build a spec.

Is the root cause the water table, ground slope, water pouring into the area from downspouts, a river rising?

If the tables were reversed you better believe when you the landlord gets in trouble for running low on reserves and paying your mortgage note the tenants will say "tough not our problem".You put a process in place and condition your tenants to perform with paying rent on time.

Most of the time you have to be bringing SOMETHING to the table (time, money, or experience) so definitely get out there and network.