I’m wondering if I can hire someone who isn’t licensed and, if so, what are the duties that person could perform.

I work as a musician and would love nothing more than to be able to invest in real estate and have the time to perform music for people.

Banks have new teeth too, for delaying a foreclosure by someone attempting to stall or say they are buying or whatever when they can't perform in the first place paying off the mortgage.

Perform regular detailed inspections.

I would suggest you purchase performing mortgage notes that an experienced lender has created and get a return of 12% through your IRA rather than potentially making a big mistake.  

However, I worked as a property manager on a property in midtown Manhattan and am familiar with getting struggling properties performing. 

If the buyer doesn't perform, the lender (aka seller) gets the house. 

Buyer shall obtain all necessary permits from local government authorities to perform such repairs or additions."

Technically I could sue for performance but how would that go since I'm a real estate investor and she is living in the property?

Unless you're a real estate agent and can perform the short sale yourself I don't foresee one paying a "fee" to take one on- they can be very tedious, time consuming and sometimes banks will reduce commissions which makes for a whole lot of work for little pay.Now, if you could be the actual end buyer on the deal (short sale)- then that would be worth exploring.