Get on a budget, build your emergency fund, pay off all debts, save up.

Some might not be livable at purchase but 5k still seems cheap unless there is something off with the data. maybe the prices were reduced on unlivable properties due to back taxes being part of the deal for the purchase.

Its on, its off, its on, its off.

if you are going to do things like include utilities, or have an off street parking spot, other amenities etc, there's no reason in my mind you couldn't "charge a premium" for a premium unit/service. 

Over the summer my wife and I bought our first condo with the idea of renting it out later on down the road and kicking off our investment journey.

Many of which are savvy BP type clients who are doing updates/raising rents and then the buildings do cashflow positive even with lower down payments which produce amazing returns (at 3.5-5% down you get close to a 50%+ return a year just off mortgage paydown). 

I am in the charlotte area looking to get started here and also have started working with 2 investors looking to fix and flip single families here as well but only wanting off market deals Hey @Anthony Benoit!

typically with seller finance there would be some period of monthly payments and then a balloon where you pay off the balance in full. 

Both a literal break (time off, not legs) and perhaps a little freaking grace (especially from those of you who profess to be Christians). 

If you look at Australia and the UK, these integrated services models have been taking off and in general, those two counties remain ahead of the US in professional services evolution!