Anyways, I have been looking in Northeast Indiana, towards Gary but that market is kind of dangerous, but I’d like to go to the expensive side of Indiana to build equity and gain appreciation as well.

Do not invest in any location where the population is stagnant or declining.Crime - People and companies will not move to locations perceived as dangerous.

How Home Staging Creates an Emotional ResponseEach home has a distinct ambiance.

Same goes for HELOC loans, secured credit lines, etc.It is very dangerous to be overleveraged so keep that in mind but I also know it is incredibly difficult to start out with no money so you have to either make that down payment (second job, lower expenses, etc.) or over leverage.

I say this because many of us, myself included, have a hard time making that distinction.

Think if it this way...zoning and allowable use are similar but distinct layers of regulation.

It sounds like you want to:1) Lease the cottage,2) Have an option contract on the entire property, and3) Use seller financing when you exercise the option (see https://www.biggerpockets.com/...)These are three distinct steps, but each of them is fairly straightforward and just requires you and the seller to agree to terms and sign a contract (1.

I’m gonna pull out some Kenny Loggins here and badly sing “Highway to the DANGER ZONE”.

I make the distinction because the bigger guys don't want the medium ones as they are more difficult to manage from afar because they don't support a dedicated on-site manager and handyman. 2.

I agree with Chris Seveney that seller financed notes will be a dangerous note to own because they are overpriced.Government policy is quickly showing that it wants to eliminate small real estate investing, e.g. the law in Illinois that requires a realtor to be part of ANY transaction, thus curtailing creativity and raising costs.