Many sellers will not accept this since they are in second position, and it is very risky since if you default (higher probability for investors with no money and/or no skin in the game), they will most likely be wiped out during a foreclosure.

Its a numbers game. 

Was thinking it could be good for a short term rental or maybe just renting out a single family.

Unfortunately most lack the balance sheet to obtain favorable financing, can't afford to put any skin in the game and fail to make a compelling reason for why the investment makes sense or to justify the structure they are seeking.

My mother is very interested in learning more about the power of real estate and how she can get in the game.

Short-term stay?

There is a long laundry list of required repairs to be done in a short amount of time.

And for the short term goal, do a house hack as you have planned.If you need any more direction send me a message.

its funny how this changes with time and the market on BP  if you asked this question 5 to 7 years ago you get drowned out with the cash flow is the ONLY thing and appreciation is for gamblers my self I have always been about making appreciation games in RE.. by either value add building a new product or buying foreclosure and flipping or lending money and getting instant 12% plus returns . 

That’s a game-changer when it comes to flipping profits.Your scenario reminds me of a client I worked with in San Diego who flipped a condo after living there for a couple of years.