Ultimately, it depends on your goals and what you are trying to accomplish.

Communication is the key - build a relationship with a realtor and if they are worth anything, they will realize what works for you. 

They are not cheap by any means, but a great place to start.ThanksSay  Oh I didn’t realize you had to pay for training?

They have to take responsibility for their credit decisions, and just because they didn't realize that this was one of the consequences in their risk calculation to screw their creditors, that doesn't make it any less real.

Because ultimately you want to learn how to buy investment properties, yet broker stuff all along the way right?  

After all managing vacation rental is like having another job, the ultimate goal for every investor should be to create enough "passive" income without having to work to earn it.

I then pay the private money lender after 6 months their original $290,000 + 10% or $319,000 and I basically break even and make no money other than the monthly cash flow (money I didn't have before, I realize). 

You can always contest your taxes, but ultimately they should catch up to the actual value of the property years down the road.

A "good Samaritan" maintenance person may have done it to reduce energy consumption and didn't realize the tenants would be so severely affected.

You might want to start with Ultimate Free Beginners Guide