From a high level, the reason we are still a year or so out from attempting to solve this is that we are also trying to combat the biggest problems you, our users, face one by one. 

I'm a newbie that needs a CPA in Vermont, preferably one that has some insight and expertise into Real estate.

Wire fraud, which is often an interstate or international crime, is something that the FBI would be more interested in than your local police or sheriff, who likely have neither the resources nor expertise to investigate.I am confused about where you were told to wire the funds.

By "your gig" do you mean my area of expertise?

I hope you get it solved and somehow you are not eating the whole cost but you can't just let it spoil. 

-If you do it right, you'll be faced with this dilemma frequently, with lots of properties.

I had a ethics dilemma when an investor sat down and asked me why I thought so many people were moving out of a building that was only a year old.

So what do we have going on with this property and how can we solve your needs?

But, since we're not interested in adding to our rental portfolio right now, we'd likely flip it.I decided to not try to solve any divorce-related risk -> buying out the husband's equity is off the table for now. 

You first have to provide value, and expertise.