Perhaps our goals will change down the road but I think it is smart to start small and think about investing in a rational way instead of worrying about the immediate cash flow.

While the ugly scenario is unlikely, the reccomendation is rational.

Might as well cut the middle man out and go directly to the source. 

They have to be in serious pain, rational enough to see the benefit.

Sounds like rational advice.

Rational; I live in a region of Colorado known as "the front range" (it's a mountains thing), and I buy houses.

They typically do not focus on their check being $150 this way or that because it is far more rational to do a killer job for you and get future business in the form of referrals and working with you in the future.

I feel you bro, at least you learned from the situation. and now just figure out how you cut out the middle man to make the extra cash for your self.

I don't think it's all that weird, lots of middleman business do it, and in face I prefer it to the VRBO, FK system, because price wise for me, it's more practical, rather than paying for a service you might not actually use.

From a landlord or developers perspective, would it be more beneficial to directly contact local developers to find a location and cut out the middle man?