It's only $179, so it's no great loss. 

The eviction process, occupancy, loss of rent, finding a tenant, etc. were all too long and costly.

The FHA 203k renovation loan program provides funds for both the purchase and renovation of a home packaged into one mortgage loan.

All they do is lending on real estate, and have lots of different programs and products.

I'd suggest also looking into any down payment assistance programs provided through your local community/city.

I'm meeting with my CPA for a profit loss statement to assist in acquiring a line of credit.

truer words were never spokenI think you have to cut your losses and move on to a new contractor.

The city has had various programs to dispose of these proprieties over time, SCOPE, Project 5000, Receivership and Vacants to Value.

That being said, I always put them through my entire process, credit/background check through my program (don't trust others, too easy to fake with photoshop etc), 3 x rent, license, and than my 18 page lease .

If you were planning on partnership within a LLC, I would first write out LETTER OF INTENT where you both spell out what you want to accomplish and how- detail where the funds are coming from, who is doing what as well as what the percentages are loss or gain.