The more that you talk the more potential buyers see what they are dealing with.Lori you purchased a property that was occupied.

In Berlin, rental arbitrage has been very profitable, with average annual margins of 25-40% after all costs but before taxes, so shifting to a market where arbitrage is barely breaking even is definitely a reality check.Given your experience, would you say the best way to enter the market now is through purchasing properties with financing?

You don't need to actually rent to purchase a renters policy.

I saw how that proposal is basically her giving me a 0% loan, but at the same time I believe that structure will avoid her taking a large loss (approximately 30k if she accepts a 300k offer).I do not know why she doesnt get a PM, I only share the facts of when she purchased it, the purchase price, and the reasoning she shared with my realtor as to why she is selling after such a short time period.

Or buy something that needs some love and some hard money lenders will fund up to 90-100% of the purchase and rehab.

The substitute of collateral was more of a scenario where you sold for $155K, and instead of paying off the $88K loan in your scenario, those funds stayed at the title company and were used on a cash purchase happening nearby in date. 

Purchase price: $178,000 Cash invested: $10,000 primary home own use has an Airbnb/ short term rental 5 months out the year/sometime this year will try BRRRR

You can find some 2 units under or around $250K but they have been sitting on the market for over 150 days which tells you its not a great deal if it were an investor woud have already purchased it 4 month ago.  

Theming can be $5-10,000 per bedroom (includes whole house decor, so a 5 bedroom could be $50,000 for the entire home furniture) depending on your imagination and quality.

For an investment property (purchased as an owner occupant), that is insane.