I understand your position because I have three properties I got caught in the downturn with that I lose basically the taxes per year but I am paying down principal.  

Even such a basic question such as this that would make me look like a fool.

Then they basically just disappear. 

13 one bedroom units that were basically all full at closing.

USDA basically follows fannie mae guidelines but qualification parameters and property types differ.

ok, I'm not sure what other (sub)forum this would go in, but I guess it could be an innovative strategy, so here goes my basic idea.1.

All of these issues comes from not understanding the basics of real estate, rights held, conveyed, interests obtained, rights of full use of a property by an owner, what tenant's rights are held, conveyed and their responsibilities as well as owner's rights and what ca not be conveyed.

They just need to have me transfer the property into my own name - basically be personally on title.

Basically the same thing.Now did your agent actually say they couldn't give you comps AND that it was illegal?! 

I show the seller basically three options, 1. they can sell for cash and pay the cost to sell, which is about 10% of the value of the house, 2. secondly they could rented out and wait for appreciation and there's knocking to be very much principal paydown, and 3. lastly they can offer the property for lease to own, somebody moves in and pays their market rent for period of time, works on their credit rating and their ability to borrow money, and then pays full price and also pays closing costs.