We're not even sure where the extra went, and are feeling like we're stumbling along in the dark. 

I'd be happy to share some insights or point you in the right direction—feel free to DM me, and we can chat further.

Quote from @Corey Goldstein: This house has all the 'feel' of a "satanic cult". 

Feel free to reach out at my email. 

I want you to feel the pride in being told all your accomplishments over 10 or 20 years are pure luck by someone afraid to get started.

Feel free to reach out though if it would be helpful to look for a sweet spot in those to see the tradeoff between prepayment penalties/terms!

Thank you I have presented a 40-60 offer to him now to see if we can get the house at the bottom dollar we would like I for but I am putting a lot of trust in him on the price and feel that we may be offering so low that I seller will not bite 

I feel like I’m taking reasonable steps, but I’m curious to hear from others about strategies that have worked for you.

I personally would have to have one of the windows replaced before I'd feel comfortable renting it, but that's just me and based on personal experience including a traumatic one from childhood in watching the apartment building next to ours burn in the middle of the night.

I feel we often want the biggest best thing and that may not turn out the way we hope!