When you first approach the homeowners about helping them out of their property, you'll want to let them know that you aren't going to save their mortgage you're just trying to give them a clean escape from having that defaulted mortgage on their credit.

., a duplex or multifamily), you may qualify for a conventional loan with as little as 3%-5% down.HELOC or Cash-Out Refinance: Use the equity you’ve built in your current property to secure a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) or cash-out refinance.

Backstory: 22 years old about to get out of military after first contract. 70k cash saved up & 775 credit score, no debt.

And be sure you have the ability to fire them at will and settle up so if they aren't progressing how you would expect, you can move on without paying huge penalties or in some cases not having any way of being able to fire them at all (some of the builders' contracts are ridiculously in their favor). 

So do a background/credit check, get a full application, paystubs (Call to verify), former landlords phone #s (Call to verify), and other information.

Unlike traditional banks, which focus heavily on personal credit and income, portfolio lenders prioritize the cash flow of your property.

If the owner financing terms are flexible, what would make this potential purchase more favorable on my end?

Both of these financing can be obtained as long as you have good credit. 

Screening tenants well and then a security deposit or credit card hold process in place will limit liability.

Jersey City tends to fluctuate with rent control laws, right now they are more favorable for landlords then they have been in the past.