So they will rent without buying even though buying is available to them but they dont want to live where its affordable.

Any lenders you’ve had a great (or not-so-great) experience with?

When I asked if someone had an affiliate code (so I could give them credit), they didn't.

Zoning is very loose in this area so was thinking maybe some smaller cabins or tree houses or maybe a yurt. 

So an investor buys the property, you pay them a down payment for the lease option then pay rent for a year and after a year you have option to buy it.What makes this challenging is the lease option payment would probably need to be around 20% of the purchase price but it sounds likeyou do not have it. maybe moving is just not in the cards.

@Morgan Tondre Thank you so much. 

You only get one shot at retirement so I'd highly advise at least having a conversation with a financial planner.

Once we had the home inspection I was able to have the seller credit us at closing $8k...of which the escrow could not credit the entire amount and so I had the seller write up a personal check for $2000 How did you finance this deal?

I have a feeling i can start something with some people we know and I always network when I can, so that could add more likeminded people. 

I hope to revisit this post a year or so from now and tell you what I've done with the help with the amazing people around.