Taking the Earnest Deposit isn't so cut and dry.

Absolutely,positively nothing to do with it.The commission is there for license laws and to protect the interest of the public.The (Code of Ethics) is a mandate you agree to if you are a REALTOR which has nothing to do with licensing.Now some states mls's are REALTOR owned and they strong arm licensees that they be a REALTOR to have access to it.The real estate commission refers to NAR,MLS as third party organizations and they could care less about them or their requirements.NAR strong arms a head broker and makes if one agent is a REALTOR then the whole brokerage has to be.Brokers get around this by having 2 brokerages.One where the agents want to be REALTORS and another where they do not.It's all about the MONEY and always has been for NAR.They have third party vendors at the NAR conventions and sell all their wares to new agents and drain them dry of money before they fall out of the business.NAR of course gets a big cut from these third parties all passed along to the agent as them receiving a benefit of course.

And lists seem to be really outdated in my area, a small area in Wisconsin.I will keep checking the mls but even new listings have dried up.

A few things were caused by her and her kids(two busted windows, a couple holes in dry wall, and disposal leaking).

Regarding this duplex, if it's a cut and dry type of deal, it doesn't look too promising.

However, if people keep straying off the path then the law will make it dry up. 

Armed with the concepts discussed here then sit back and let the mortgagee hang himself out to dry and capitalize on it as best you can.  

One of the small joys is feeding the deer in my back yard, they love dry dog food.

Use it again to spot prime your patches and you are sealed.The only down side is that it dries clear.  

If it's a wood beam, looks dry, and is just cracked, then it may have been too small for the load.