Seller decided to back out of the deal (this was a private party transaction, no real estate agents involved) and no longer wants to sell her home.What recourse do I have as a buyer to ensure she isn't going to take a better deal from another investor and leave me hanging?

You shouldn't be hanging back and just playing with the math.

Get a map, Google Earth works but its hard to beat an old fashioned paper map that you can hang up of your local area of interest, your 'farm'.

All I saw was a dirty house and a damaged brass light fixture that went out of style a couple decades ago. 

I'm looking for a broker to hang my license with.

Being a good agent is all about networking, not the name of the company you hang your license with. 

If you were great in high school woodshop, then maybe you can hang cabinets. 

It allows the landlord to better plan for vacancies. 45 days prior to lease expiration I hang a notice on the tenant's door offering them 4 options: 1 year lease renewal, 6 month lease renewal, MTM lease renewal, and non-renewal (meaning they are giving their notice to move).

My wife and I just hang our license at a fixed rate shop.. for 12k a year for both of us.. but to be fair my wife does 10 to 15 million a year and I do ZERO... then she has a transaction coordinator that charges 400 a file to make sure every T and Dot is done.Even with your brokers license you can go work for a flat fee company.. short of that only do your own deals.. do NOT bring in anyone under you at this time. 

I have a lot of flexibility with my job which allows me to be on site during projects.I also rehabbed my own house and am trying to figure out if I should sell it or rent it or hang onto it.