If there are any locals that need extra help with their RE in exchange for letting me pick their brain I'd be very willing to come help you out! 

I guess I'll call a local realtor and pick their brain for some ideas, and at least get an estimate of what it could possibly sell for.

So suppose he figures no more than 200... about almost three weeks for two people, one brain one grunt, 100 hrs =$1200 + 100 hrs grunt work(plus edjew-kay-shee-ohhhn!)...

If I were in your shoes, I would reach out to him to pick his brain on how he went about investing.  

Think of the origination fee as all the front end work that goes to putting the deal together, marketing, advertising, underwriting deals, overhead for personnel and office and the brain trust in general that is bringing you a deal that you otherwise wouldn't find yourself. 

Go to a local bank that actually looks at your financial background and uses their brain to determine if your a worth what or investment.

Rents have softened recently so we'd be close to break even on this but presumably this improves over time.I've been racking my brain about this lately because we are going to leave the country for 5 months starting in August.

Keep working that creative brain of yours!

I would also network with other experienced investors and pick their brains on here. 

:) @Andrew Brain - here's my favs: www.BiggerPockets.com/books -  also -be sure to add a photo to your profile!