@brandon hall is the person I hired to handle all of my accounting.

We've also thought about hiring an assessor, but I'd much rather have two people's opinion than just one and at $300/house a double assessment is getting a bit too pricey. 

Now my RE agent told me that the aunt/ caretaker of the owner (who was living in the house), which is also in foreclosure, has decided she owns the property (without giving any proof) and has now hired a lawyer so apparently now it has to go to probate? 

This was probably not the best thing to say on my part however, I advised the hiring manager that I am in process of obtaining my Maryland real estate license.

I do agree that there are a lot of "gurus" that take your money and then pawn you off on "hired coaches" that have no knowledge of you and/or your goals.  

When you evict her you absolutely must follow the steps or hire an eviction attorney otherwise she could drag this process out much longer.

My office is just starting to hire new agents.

I have even heard of someone hiring a experienced person to go down an pull them.

I would Echo what Chris said, and add that things like hiring a property management firm, or a credit enhancement ( 6 mos. - year of debt service in an escrow account) if you had it to tie up,  would help to get the deal done. 

.+ Check CraigsList for motivated sellers that don't realize what their home is worth because they are to cheap to hire a professional, or are so motivated that they don't care that you are getting a deal.