the one situation we do face is sometimes they just leave and go home with no notice..  

No Fraud.Thanks for your 'deep-dive' into Victor's situation. 

In a Hard money / lender situation, you are gonna be putting $50k into that deal, they lend you $200k and charge you 12% and 2 points.

Quote from @Samuel Hudson: Hello friends I am new the market and recently bought a home in Weehawken 6 months backs .Its a three family home and we are currently doing renovations Right now.The rent leveling board told me that two units would have to follow a rent of 1650 for unit 1 which has three bedrooms and another unknown amount for unit 2 which they don’t have the information for .The previous seller I purchased the property from bought it as a tax lien .He has kept the property vacant for two years with no tenants before selling it to me .However ,the previous Owner he bought it from must have had tenants .I am putting in a lot of money into renovations and want some clarity on the situation I am in .The property has been vacant for the two years and currently still is as we are doing renovation .It would be really appreciated if anyone can assist me on what information needs to be provided by from the previous seller for me to be able to set the rent based on the market value .Thank you . 

Additionally, regarding the legal structure, an LLC seems to be the most suitable option for our situation.

It sounds like you've absorbed a bunch of problems already and a new sewer line and the current basement situation will cost you way less than the $50K in fees to sell it. 

Year 0: ($2,000 - $1,700) x (1 + 2%)^0 / (1 + 5%)^0 ≈ $300 in today’s buying power.Year 5: ($2,000 - $1,700) x (1 + 2%)^5 / (1 + 5%)^5 ≈ $260 in today’s buying power.Year 10: ($2,000 - $1,700) x (1 + 2%)^10 / (1 + 5%)^10 ≈ $225 in today’s buying power.Year 15: ($2,000 - $1,700) x (1 + 2%)^15 / (1 + 5%)^15 ≈ $194 in today’s buying power.So, if you purchase property in a city where rent increases at a slower pace than inflation, the amount of goods and services you can buy will decrease over time due to inflation.Here is what I recommend:Purchase in a city that possesses the following characteristics.Significant and sustained population growth.Rapid and sustained appreciationBalance negative cash flow, interest rate buydown, and increased down payment to create an acceptable cash flow situation today.Refinance when rates fall to increase cash flow.

I have a situation where a person I know is moving out of the country and would be looking to put their home for sale in the summer.

Will they finance 100% of the purchase and renovation or will they want skin in the game (you putting money in).Most do not do 100% funding so beore going down more rabbit holes, make sure you have the $ aspect situated first.

Check out this podcast from BP, with Dave Meyer and Chris Clothier from Nov.we work with clients all the time in your situation and can help strategize your portfolio to reach your 10-15 year goals!