As for the trenchless repairs, I once saw on a television show how they were repairing lines in NY using some type of material that is sprayed into the old pipes and basically forming a new one, eliminating the need to dig up the roads, etc.

Why not just eliminate the lender from the offer?

Dodd Frank and the CFPB regs have made seller financing to owner occupants way more challenging and risky, with some investors completely eliminating this strategy. 

The jack under the house does look shoddy, but I don't know that it's a reason to eliminate a purchase.

Sure, you have some avenues for marketing the house, but you're eliminating some key ones.

The benefits to you is that you can completely eliminate the custodial fees, transaction fees and asset based fees.It has been discussed here on BP forum in details so if you are interested in learning more about it, you are in the right place.

stated, I don't like debt either since I spent a long time eliminating "bad debt."

There are a property or two I have found that I project a cash flow of about $500/mo.My other thought is this: I would be eliminating a nice asset I would have-the ability to get at $20k whenever I want/need it.

That book combined with Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, I came up with a great plan to reduce and eventually eliminate my credit card debt.

My thinking is we want to free up as much cash as possible to eliminate any unwanted stress.