The liability only enables you to purchase the asset.The asset is good, the debt is bad.  

It enabled us to stop paying rent month after month and build some equity in a building while producing extra cash every month.

The only value of a deed with a lien against it is that it enables you to not make payments during a foreclosure process so you can stay in a property longer than you otherwise would be able to when you default.

Boy I think I have definately learned what sweat equity is and I have become quite handy which enables me to fix things instead of calling a handy man.  

Family and friends can enable something where strangers would turn you down.

But unless you really want to service your own note, I suggest bundling the service, we really use the FP polices for the community banks we write which are better enabled to service their own loans.  

In the long run I hope to have rental income enable me to quit my job, but since I'm new to this, am looking to assess over the next two years if this is a viable option for me.  

Gamer!

Nothing else you have written will enable you to close and much of what you write indicates that not only are you still in a learning phase (nothing wrong with that), but you will likely have one upset potential seller.

Then, he/she will be able to help you construct a plan that will enable you to reach your short-term goals and reap the benefits needed for the proceeds and resources that your long-term goals will require.