Seriously, I like to see people get the opportunity to defend themselves in forums like this where someone shares their perspective on why someone did something wrong and the other person is able to publicly represent themselves on a neutral forum.

Using the listing agent is kind of like using the defendant’s attorney rather than have your own.

James got sued for his troubles and had to defend himself on his own dime over months of frivolous legal action brought out by Clayton Morris's legal team.I too believe it's time for things to change, and that some of that change should come from various regulatory agencies.

I used to try and defend my business model many years ago.

I believe there is an amendment that says I'm allowed to speak freely, or something, that I swore to defend...maybe I'm missing something. censorship, whether you want it to be called "being politically correct" or not, is wrong.

I've certainly stepped out and defended some newbies from more experienced people in that situation, but I think the experienced members also realize there's a level of weariness that comes from a general question that's been asked a thousand times.

How will you defend them...body guards? 

I am in real estate investing, to be able to free myself from my 9 to 5 job and hopefully to answer God's call in my life as a full time minister or Pastoral Ministry.

As you said, if you can show that it was sold at fair market value, then you should be able to defend yourself in an audit (should there be one, and probably if you are declaring a huge loss). 

This thread continues to deliver with an influx of people not reading the thread, defending the OP and encouraging him...