Many lenders are doing periodic occupancy checks and because the property is investment / Rental, if caught committing "Occupancy Fraud" the lender can call the note due, foreclose and the owner is out like the fat kid in 5th grade dodge ball!

I suppose we could all cheer you on and give you advice on how to "10x" your goals and flip 20 houses this year and purchase 30 investment properties, but that's like encouraging someone to jump off a 30-foot diving board after watching them belly-flop in a kiddy pool.You have one rental that has fallen apart and eaten up your cash.

You need to make sure you offer with a good amount of lease option money to the seller and be fair with your expectations or the minute they run a ridiculous scenario/ offer by their attorney or realtor, you're out like the fat kid in 5th grade dodge ball! 

No wonder the USA is fat and sick.

The only consistent positive reviews I've heard from the likes of Zillow are from those who are spending 5 figures per MONTH.Better to work your sphere and do belly-to-belly marketing and networking. 

Suggest a belly to belly meeting with the Seller, Bill, and Kevin to talk.

I guaranty if you were to battle anther realtor with a borrower/ buyer who was to do as I described above, 7 out of 10 times you would lose down here in FL  with that outdated strategy of "Poor Mouthing the Offer" with ridiculous Good Faith Deposit amount in escrow.If I were selling a 500k home, and an a buyer hit me with a 5k deposit, their offer would be out like the fat kid in 5th grade dodge ball!

Originally posted by @Bettina F.:At

YOU could find success in either route but it depends on the fire in your belly to succeed and how determined you are to put in the work to make it work. 

The hogs had gotten too fat, time for a slaughter.