Know it's last minute but if anyone is around and wants to meet up to chat about the RE market here, feel free to PM me.

Lastly, I expect my mother will need significant care in the future and I don't want her financially destroyed.

I run the money through an escrow account, with instructions to release the funds when I have an investment in place that will support the cost of the investment AND the payments on the original loan.Then, I use that same account to filter the returns from that investment with instructions to first pay the debt service on the investment, then the original loan payment, and last I get paid with what's left. 

It was last renovated in the 70s (at least if the laminated cabinets are any indication).

For that matter, what are the lasting personal effects of foreclosure?

Typically they like to see 3 deals in the last two year on your tax return.

The seller also had 2 failed sales within the last year at $530k and $540K, respectively.

Greetings BP,Glad to have been introduced to this community over the last month.

then last week i couldn't get anyone to cut grass so I thought "why don't I just start my own landscaping business?...

However, last year I was able to put my primary in an LLC and personally guarantee the loan.