I think I'd try hard to break even or get a little positive cash, and then find something closer to your new location where you can improve your net.

Dani Z mentioned it but other thing to keep in mind with Portland as they MAY require frontage improvements to do the land division if there are no sidewalks.  

Maybe he is a lot busier these days (market has improved) it may not be worth it to him now.Look at it from his side, however seek out someone who can accomplish what you need with full cooperation and understanding of your goals.

If the property can be improved enough, it just comes off the top end - IE instead of clearing 20k lets say you might clear 15k because of 5k in additional bank costs. 

If I could buy the house I would drastically improve its value and this would help the neighbors current situation as well. 

Sounds like you need to sell one of them so you can afford to maintain and improve the other 2.  

We buy fixers to owner occupy and improve them over 2 years so that we have the tax free capital gains when we PCS.

Wholesalers tend to get a bad reputation but some have truly helped countless homeowners improve their situations. 4.

Every year i have done a major improvement to the home.The home was acquired by FTE at some point and all communications from vpm stopped.

Rates not likely to improve but prices are already starting to soften.