I am all for saving as much money as possible in your bottom line.  

Just wondering can you ever catch a great deal on the market  and if so what’s stopping you from taking advantage?

The advice I would give as a lender are these few options if you both are on mortgage.

And what is your price point and are you looking for turn-key properties or something along the lines of a "fixer upper"?

- Also depends on a variety of factors. 

Quote from @Scott MacComb: I have had contractors just do a small list on a paper napkin, and some do something on a word document.

Look for your states offer to purchase contract online or contact a realtor to get a blank copy. review the agreement to be sure assignment is not expressly excluded. if there is nothing excluding assignment from the contract then writing the words "/And or Assigns" after the name or company's name on the buyer's line should be sufficient.Good luck!

We are in a safe community, so tenants can choose to leave the door unlocked or hide a key under the mat.

There really isn't a safe, secure way for someone to protect their interests.

I would never form an entity with them when I can do it online with a firm that charges a fraction of what they charge).