When a buyer has cash to put down that motivates the seller to perhaps overlook more prudent lending considerations.When I appraised these contracts or notes, the initial starting point is to the arm's length nature of the transaction, the relationship of the parties and the motivations involved.

However, you also need to clearly communicate what your expectations are, and be willing to pay for that level of service.Another alternative is to use someone who has a vested interest in getting more referrals or would be ashamed for your connection to hear that they didn't do a good job.

And keep investigating alternative investments Ryan.

Alternatively, Brian could have set-up a 1031 Exchange with a Qualified Intermediary and the $25K could have been paid to the Qualified Intermediary and then used toward the purchase of a second replacement property. 

I am a mechanical engineer by trade and want to generate alternative cash streams.  

But I also think that there will be a real alternative to the MLS within a decade, and that more and more of the research will be done buy buyers themselves.The only possible hope for an unchanged industry would be an abusive use of government to protect entrenched interests.  

So NOD at 120 means a foreclosure start at best 150+ days past due.Now add in some states which have mandatory exploration of foreclosure alternatives and we add some more time.  

I asked the owner, and naturally he said oh no, never been any mold.

@Martin Yunginvestment property in Singapore is very different in nature than US.After you read @Jay Hinrichs ebook, you will understand more.Also the quality of some of the renters are very different in the two countries.

Basically if he is trying to cut you out you can let it go or try to be a PITA...Since you said the seller is a friend in distress, unless there is another alternative, I would suck it up and help make sure the transaction goes through.As @Jay Hinrichs points out this is a risk and something that can happen all the time.