Two of your questions will be more situational and location based.We don’t ever haggle on pricing, although I would suggest being flexibleWe check credit, criminal history and everything that goes along with that, evictions, and income.

So for example, a 761 credit score will be in the 760-779 credit category, then going down to 740-759 and so on.2.

Otherwise, talk to your bank or credit union.

Stack cash & build credit. 

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?

@Ryan Vienneau I'm a Buildium customer too, and it blows my mind they don't have credit card tracking in 2017.

If there isnt a long term commitment where he takes you to collections and destroys your credit for quitting early, $700/mo invested in yourself will not bankrupt ya or matter much 5 or 20 years from now. 

Thanks, He either has to give you the deposits or he has to give you a line item credit at the closing for the amount of the deposits, so that you can set aside the resulting credit money.The funds are NOT his.

Given your credit score and ability to fund 25% of the purchase I don't foresee any obstacles you will face. 

One of the benefits is that being on the loan can help build his credit, which will be valuable for his future financial goals.