I typically only work with people I already know but I do get a lot of calls on my listings from strangers about various things (unrepresented buyers wanting to make an offer, sellers looking to list a similar property, all sorts of scammers and salespeople, etc.). 

The other strategy I've considered, but have no idea if it's feasible, is getting some sort of hard money loan for a live in flip just to get the place and then refinancing it with an owner occupant loan once it's fixed up and I move in.

It's sort of passive investing vs active investing. 

In fact, many of theme just sort of fell backwards into it. 

I'm from Conroe, help people of all sorts in the area analyze properties.

Also, will she be able to qualify for a mortgage, if not, putting all of her money towards a house is not anything I would do.What sort of pension will she have?

I guess I’m just not cut out for that sort of drama, so this cycle I just took my marbles and went home.

Maybe that lender has some sort of weird requirement regarding where the funds need to come from, but typically a HELOC isn't an issue....

You have carpet and allow pets or infants, it's gonna happen.It's come to the point when the ONLY reason to have any sort of carpet in rentals these days is to play games like this.They're going to try to strongarm you.

I'm glad you're liking it so far, I've run into the same thing with clients where the HELOC sort of throws things off.