Once you've agreed on a price with the owners and they've agreed to let you sell the property, you're free to begin marketing the deal. am I representing only the buyer in this transaction?

A lot of people will agree, but I did want to provide some context for counter arguments that people may have that you should be prepared for: 1.

I agree that most of what I have read implies 1099s need to be issued, but there are a few articles, like the one I shared in my initial post that make me wonder...

This gives you a clear roadmap for how to handle the situation while sticking to what you both agreed to.

I am not a huge fan of buying a new car because of the value it loses but I agree with you, you are making money to spend it on something. 

I'd agree with John's simple take here.

Quote from @Sam Epperson: let's say I come to an agreement with the seller for them to finance some of the deal. let's also pretend the seller owns it with no debt, and we agree to 5% down, 5% rate, and 10 year balloon. how are we drafting this legal document?

i keep seeing:1. buy out of state rental in a solid neighborhood with long-term potential (just as you are recommending) but then...2. have one rough tenant turn that costs a couple grand, and3. give up on real estate investing, and turn on everyone involved in the transaction for not guaranteeing that sweet cash flow in month 1 I literally just had this conversation with a prospective client when he asked me what a typical outcome looks like.I told him everyone nods and agrees when I drill into them the risks of investing OOS and in Detroit.

I'm in the camp of get help from a real person as opposed to listen to more podcasts and read these threads.I'll agree that you need to be very cautious with a "Program".

I agree with the comments here that $23k will not be enough for now.