Otherwise from a portfolio standpoint there is going to be some pressure to exit the loans by month 36 which could cost the return some performance return.  

I'm pretty sure I could research and find the correct/safe/legal (as you all seem to put it) manner in which to remove/dispose of these potentially hazardous materials along with the right chemical/cleaning agent to pressure wash any meth residue from the structure's skeleton...With all that said, it doesn't seem like much fun and I think I will pass on this deal, and by the way I would be giving the same advice as everyone here if some anonymous "investor" asked about this online... so I appreciate the words of wisdom.The thing that isn't clear to me is: would I, or would I not be breaking the law by continuing with my "plan"?

However, I went to the first meeting and the main speaker was an out-of-town guy giving a super high-pressure sales job for some MLM program called "Financial Education Services Protection", which didn't actually have anything to do with real estate, other than he was pitching us to pressure credit challenged prospects into buying this (my opinion) predatory program.

Don't feel pressured to learn it all at once, but learn what you need to know to do something and go from there. 

We can add a few extra brains to figuring out a solution, but waiting to call us adds time pressure that's not helpful.  

Meanwhile the maintenance costs go up and the losses mount.

I need to replace several flush mount fixtures in a duplex and I'm curious if anyone is having any luck using integrated LED fixtures without replaceable bulbs in their rentals.

The deadline is just to pressure you to make a decision.

You can go slow, no pressure to rush to find a tenant (pick a good one not he first one), hopefully it's a little distressed and you can fix it up a bit.

If you do, get them involved as they are going to know the right pressure points to push for a resolution here.