@Zachary Pilz Don't give up, I have confidence you can find money, the harder part is convincing someone to trust you (who has no experience) with their money.

I could get about $300 a month positive cash flow, and I own the property free and clear in 17 years.So I guess the real question is, besides rare circumstances like this - what would be a reasonable reward, payment, etc. to make it beneficial for me to dig someone out of a hole and make it worth their while to trust me for the next 15 years.

Keep a level head.. and do realize that like most things that have really big money potential it takes a lot of work a lot of drive and some capital..

This is perilous territory on a number of levels. 

You're most likely to gain leads and clients from the people that already know you and trust you the most.

The first time I didn't know any better ($8k repair) and the last time I trusted the people we were buying the house from ($2k repair).

Insurance, debt, LLCs, homestead, trusts, single and multiple member entities, off shore trusts etc can help with isolation, ananymity, shields, deterrents, etc -some of the things you want to consider.

I never trust prior landlord reference, if the credit, income, background checks out I accept.

Does anyone have an experienced and trusted general contractor they could refer me to?

But everyone is different, just run numbers, trust them, and go for it.