Also, focus on 2 years of job/income stability.Class D Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, all cashflow with little, maybe even negative, relative rent & value appreciationVacancy Est: 20%+ should be used to cover nonpayment, evictions & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores under 560 (almost 30% probability of default), little to no good tradelines, lots of collections & chargeoffs, recent evictions.

Also, focus on 2 years of job/income stability.Class D Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, all cashflow with little, maybe even negative, relative rent & value appreciationVacancy Est: 20%+ should be used to cover nonpayment, evictions & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores under 560 (almost 30% probability of default), little to no good tradelines, lots of collections & chargeoffs, recent evictions.

I have done this a few times myself and have a few basic recommendations:1) Make sure the seller owns the property free and clear and that it's very clear to both parties whether the arrangement involves a deed of trust or contract for deed2) If a balloon payment is involved, be sure to assess your ability to refinance and make that balloon payment in the future- optional extensions can help manage this risk3) Understand the tax implications if the interest rate is notably above or below market rates4) Get title insurance! 

For right now, we don't need any extensive features, but just want the software to be a little more user friendly and RentRedi seems to lack a few simple things that we would like in a property management software.

@Logan M. another stream of income, if you don't want to have clients finance through banks is financing them yourself and collecting the 12-15% on contract sales.Do you offer any mini storage in any of your communities for an additional income stream?

Experience derived from extensive dealings with people for 40 years professionally and in the capacity as a landlord.

You could also reach out to the original hard money lender and ask for a 3-6 month extension.  

Attending these events are REALLY important (I can find my first mentor, network, collect business cards, etc), but I'm held back by my situation. - What is the optimal way to fund my first deal?

The real question has to do with  if you are prepared to do what's required to learn the foundations of real estate investing, strategies, tactics, financing, title, escrow, marketing, deal structuring, develop acquisition systems, investors, associate networks and management of properties, rent collection, cash flow, taxes, etc.This is all took me a lot longer than one year, but you might be very dedicated. 

You must learn to communicate with possible residents, ethically and legally screen them, juggle the calendar, create leases and collect rent.