Take it one step at a time and get a pest inspection done with the home inspection so you can see what you are dealing with and what the pest control specialist feels is the best way to treat moving forward.

If that's your situation you may want to look at a conventional loan and a great insurance policy.I can't speak much about partnerships I've not done oneDo you have a formal business plan with well defined objectives written out?

I would love a devil’s advocate perspective, especially from those having worked through similar types of issues.We have a foundation repair specialist visiting the house early this week to review and estimate repairs.

I’m not sure about the ability to provide an accurate evaluation by someone who’s not a specialist in the area.

@Tim Kaminski depends on your objective and when you plan to put the money in play.

At this point I have two different contractors, my general contractor and my mold specialist who are refusing to go in and do work while the tenants are there. 

If MLS access, easy access to properties, and education is the main objective, I'd consider working with a dedicated buyer's agent who speaks your language.

Or a specialist specialized in routing? 

It includes, among other things, a comprehensive map of the Cleveland area, grading each area from A+ down to F, using a consistent, objective and transparent methodology using publicly available data rather than a broad-brush subjective approach.

If that value is below the debt, and the agent is unfamiliar with short sales, time to get rid of the agent and get a short sale specialist because going into a short sale without experience, is just suicide.Your scenario describes a transaction that just isn't going to happen, if there is any expectation that the lender is going to take a short payoff.