Right now you feel like a failure but it is this whole situation that highlights everything in you that makes you a wildly successful businessman. 

What I have done is highlighted all of those that have $500 or more in delinquent taxes and planned to send out letters to them.

I'd like to highlight three issues in your post that you don't seem to be looking at carefully and asking, "What can go wrong with this?"

IMO the following map has the 'war zone' highlighted.

When meeting with potential investors, be very clear that "this" is not a live deal, but a deal similar to what you're looking for.It's much easier to go over something that looks 95% alike to what you will be showing them when you find a deal, but it also gives you practice on your presentation and highlighting why your deal is worthwhile (refinance in 2 years, great cap rate, value add opportunity,...)

As for speakers (I do speaking myself), you are limited on time and need to give highlighted deal examples as people there don't really want to hear the true life of a note investor (spending the day acting like a administrative assistant).

Instead, let me give you some highlights to the HomeStyle loan and see if it fits what you are looking for:The down payment is 15% of the After Repair Value of the home.You get your renovation bid, then give it to the appraiser, who the sees the work and bases the value on that.The rate is a little higher than a traditional mortgage but it's about 1/2 the rate of hard money. 

Perhaps that was because it was under the same insurance company, a rather important distinction that should be highlighted if that was the differentiating factor.  

Additionally I think this whole conversation just highlights how absurd ground rent is in the 21st century.

The weather might scare a few people away, but the locals keep themselves insulated and well-primed when the snow and wind come in.The City is actively attempting to lure millennials from Chicago with an ad campaign that highlights the City's amenities and transportation benefits.