My ideal option would be to work with a single private lender to fund a flip. 

The cap rates are much better then the burbs but YES the headaches and the cliental I deal with ahem let's just say are very "special".

There is no disputing the fact that the comps used are not ideal. 

Ideally you go find a good agent.

Not to discourage you (if I haven't already) but this would not be the ideal place from which to manage a first project remotely.  

Don't put more time into until they are ready.Build that last little bit of rapport by saying something along the lines of "I would like you to find the best deal possible and it sounds as though mine is not as ideal for your situation as some of the other offers you have received.

Lack of fund investors like me will start at an affordable area to learn about RE along with building experience and slowly crawl back into the ideal area in the future. : )Hope these answer your questions.

They buyers would ideally like to work with the recycling company to recycle as much as possible. 

In fact, that may be the ideal situation.That being said, I echo @Steve Vaughan, you are willing to put in detailed effort. 

(that's good)Now, in late December I sent them a letter telling them that I'd like for them to send the net 6 month check a little sooner than February 1 (ideally 2 weeks) because that's how long it took to clear my bank.I got no response from the letter.