@Michael OverallYour question is good.

If you have any specific questions, I’d be glad to help!

I'd be happy to connect further regarding your questions about more specific and nuanced details. 

My main question is whether it makes more sense to go the seller financing route and pay off the principal in 8–10 years or stick with a standard 30-year loan.My thinking is that the tax deductions from a mortgage wouldn’t outweigh the potential equity I could gain over those 8–10 years.

Quote from @Nevin Wilkie: Hey, Y'all quick question.

Questions/opinions on: (1) one property or several, and (2) whether to buy outright or put large downs and then supplement with mortgages.

hopefully your inspection went well. wish i would have seen your post earlier i would have been happy to help you out with your inspection. but to answer your question, there really isn't anything you need to "ask" your inspector to look for. if he is a good inspector he will know what to look for and what defects are major and should be addressed immediately and which defects are minor.

Always end with a question.

Good question!

My question for the group is would my hours as a contractor also count twoards the needed 750 hours?