The first property was a long term investment but I have a lot more flexibility now and am strongly considering moving there to house hack and potentially start building a portfolio.

My job gives me the flexibility to pretty much live anywhere in the country.

After speaking to the owner, I knew that she was flexible on making a deal.

Like Emily said, a number of shocking facts (or not so shocking to many landlords) have come out in the press recently on how few Americans can come up with a thousand or even four hundred dollar in an emergency....A FINRA study on The Financial Fragility of Renters was just one (with lots of stats).So no downpayment is a big one, as is credit score, and even with those who have resources, they  may want the flexibility to move or freedom from extra work or costs of maintaining and repairing the home.Even items like student loan debt or fear about the economy hold others back (still some out there who feel the sting of the housing bust).

You could also look at doing a HELOC (home equity line of credit) on your home, have some flexibility.

The "proposal" being that you'd like to do business with her in the future if she can be flexible on the commissions.And here's why I would make the proposal:  1.The business relationship you develop with her could be profitable for you both long term.    

Your sacrifices now will pay off when you can spend time with your kids due to the flexible schedule that REI provides rather than a rat race job.

I have the flexibility/option to move anywhere in or around Dallas. 

Then I follow up with asking if that price is flexible.

I honestly like these methods better considering the amount of flexibility you have with negotiating.