The clerk of court doesn't handle the tax deeds, except for recording them. 

You can probably buy pizza with literally anything  EXCEPT  a Venezuelan bolivar.

This is completely appropriate - except that wasn't how I was going to use it. 

My point in bringing up the fact he continued paying is because he said to me in response to my letter stating he owes the difference in damages above the security deposit amount that he has nothing to do with her anymore, except it wasn't true because he still would write checks directly to me to cover her rent.2.

Talk to @Justin Capps - an exceptional broker in the area!

You will get exceptions on your income at small local credit unions and banks who will utilize your 1099 income over W2 income more loosly, nonetheless it all starts with you completing your taxes.

For an unsophisticated investor like White coat Investors who has 250k to park as a downpayment and let it sit without any upside except for appreciation go ahead. 

Investment Info: Multi-family residential buy & hold investment located a 20-mile drive or 25-minute ferry ride from downtown Boston in the beach town of Hull, Massachusetts, also known as Nantasket Beach.Purchase price: $550,000 in 2016Cash invested: $137,500 from 1031 exchange (75% mortgage)A 14-unit property on a corner lot, and it includes an adjacent lot as well (10,000 sq ft total lot size, double the town median lot size), giving an exceptionally large patio, yard, parking areas front and back, and a storage shed.

Finally, **transparency and trust** are vital; a lender who is upfront about all costs and willing to work through challenges builds long-term relationships with investors.

Everyone ended up in worse positions than where they had started except of course the scammer who made off with the money.