Just keep in mind that you will probably still want to insulate whether they pay anything or not - so don't lose face asking and them saying no.I had a pipe burst last year - stunk to be me - paying a plumber is like paying a dentist - painful but has to be done.  

I'm just worried that the 911 calls will go on record and look bad for me or my house on the face of it.

I would love to shop around but my current loan has me locked in for 6yrs else I face prepayment penalties.  

Honestly I will not say "can i buy your house" you should take the other approach to get an higher response rate.Go in asking what issues are that facing from behind on more etc... then have your website educated them on that subject.

There is the argument of cashflow Vs equity investing, and we can get blue in the face discussing it.

I could barely see the seams.  

I guess I trust myself to be the face of the business more than someone else.

If they do and get it, and flip it they could get in huge trouble and face big fines.

He is facing foreclosure soon.

I can't tell you how many times a prospective tenant has whipped out a compass to see if the rooms/house face the "proper" way.You can ignore it, or worse, make light of it, and lose prospective business; or, you can roll with the flow...make lemonade out of lemons...Close the Deal.