Creative Financing" can mean a lot of different things depending on who you're talking with. 

Here is a link that provides fantastic information on the turnkey investing option from BP. 

If you can fight to break even and hang on to that place for the long term, that will provide the best return on capital by a long shot.

@Brett RiemensniderYou don't need to provide anything to your tenants tax-wise.

I do intend to stay close to home - but home provides only annual opportunities and I’m looking for year round possibilities with tax deed properties. 

It depends on what exactly you are referring to with gap funding.

As they are getting paid to provide a service.

I have never provided a water dispenser/ice maker in any of my other units, but rather a Brita and ice trays with no complaints.

Hoping to go down one of two paths:1- Buy a condo or small single family home and build equity and create value with my maintenance/construction background.2- Find a cash provider to do this on a larger scale with a 3-5 unit building. 

Ideally you can provide something extra or unique that you can highlight in your photos and description to stand out.