Hey Barnie Frank also contributed to it (another ma$$-hole) along with Liz.

I told them I hadn’t asked for any, I simply wanted out I have never found a guru who honored refunds.

Most fail to factor this in.I believe the fact no meaningful tax advantages exist saved you from going down a rabbit hole that would have been adverse to your business more generally.

I simply thought putting it out there in the Forum might keep someone from unknowingly buying something that might leave you out to dry.

If the house value goes down, the tenant has the option to simply not purchase and you would keep their option money.

.  --- and... these issues become issues for the other Tenant and then turns you into the constant 'utility police' because you constantly have to monitor # of occupants... eww. 50/50 is simple and simply understood and 100% while vacant is also simply understood.

I think you need to start by figuring out what you’re near term goals are - are you wanting to generate enough cash flow to offset W2 income, are you simply wanting to supplement your retirement, are you looking for significant tax advantages etc.

Then, upon resale, does this private lender simply inform the title company of the payoff?

So, you can't simply trust them to handle things on your behalf and often communication is challenging especially if they choose to make it that way. 

Simply ask yourself the question how long will it take you to obtain 25% or 5% down.