Keep in mind you don't pay tax on money you save so consider that aspect too...

While I enjoyed interacting with guests and some of the unique aspects of short-term rental operation, I prefer the passivity of our long-term portfolio for sure. 

I humbly suggest if you can not find a suitable investment by April 1, your criteria is probably not realistic.Of course while the sale aspect is moving forward, you keep looking....and the intensity of your looking increases every step of the way pending developments on the 7 property package sale.During this process, your offer to buy would evolve as the sale transaction moved forward.The strength of your offer would increase each step as follows.1.

Even cutting out the warranty company, which wanted to replace a part instead of the whole outside unit, didn't accelerate the other aspects of the fix.

Virtual wholesaling is definitely profitable- I never go to a single house and lock up ALL my deals over the phone.Remember that wholesaling is all about SALES & MARKETING, focus on mastering these 2 aspects and you will do great things.Best of luck to you 

Congrats on pursuing wholesaling.As a real estate wholesaler you don't invest in houses you invest into you real estate EDUCATION & MARKETING.Make sure to invest time into mastering every aspect - real estate lingo, sales, negotiations, lead generation & marketing, contracts, your numbers etc. 

Also knowing I need to obtain money before I can turn this in to a more philanthropy aspect.

It is a great place to meet new friends and learn about various aspects of real estate and more.Read Beginner’s Guide to help you get started: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingWishing you the best!

Would it help to get a moving co (that has liability) and you and /or your dad could be there to do the organizing aspect with out the heavy lifting? 

The first is more in our hands to be able to actively swing it in our favor, but the appreciation aspect isn't necessarily (outside of value add).