What do you think I should do given the circumstances?

Unless there are special circumstances not here disclosed, if it was me I'd start at a closer in community. 

Despite the circumstances this should  good learning experience. 

You'll want to discuss with your CPA who is familiar with all the facts and circumstances. 

Thus, your fact pattern would generally lead to short-term cap gains, subject to ordinary bracketed rates.You should speak with your tax advisor as he/she will know your facts/circumstances and be qualified to really dial in advice.Note this answer would be different if you originally owned the property in question and sold to your friend on an installment sale.

Now I’m working to simply claim the class onto my taxes, which was another LIE that the salesmen/women tell you about to sweeten the deal, and would you believe that something as simple as an EIN number, which the company refuses to give to me,  is the only thing holding me back from retrieving any of the almost $20,000 that I dished over to them.

Certainly a unique set of circumstances, however good on you for applying yourself and closing the deal.

I am not sure of the circumstances surrounding your judgement but it can be hard to collect anything. 

Even if a tenant has an eviction or collection, I'm unable to verify the circumstances or validity of those actions.

I'm reading Garret Sutton's Loopholes book and it doesn't offer suggestions for this circumstance.