If you are acquiring this property with a 0% down purchase money mortgage with favorable terms and creating a huge equity position, this may be the deal of a lifetime...likewise, if this is a 12m property you are buying at 10% of value...this is the deal of a lifetime...we can go on with scenarios for days...you've got to start looking at this through a different lens before you rule it out. 

Most "Downpayment Assistant Programs" (DAP) help people with their downpayments. 

Has someone in his family done REI and "failed"Now, my counsel is purely looking through the lens of him not supporting your REI venture, if there are other issues with the relationship ATOP the REI venture, then you might take drastic measures. 

@Daniel Bradley, the lens you're looking through is all important. 

I think one thing investors who live in pricey markets have to be careful of is seeing everything through a relative lens.

@Len AytonHi Len:  I have invested in Rent to Own or Lease Purchase Options since 2008. 

, I recommend you separate yourself from the equation and answer the question as if you were advising a colleague or younger sibling: What would you tell an imaginary advisee to have in place before they go all in (imagine they have the same business plan as you): Savings account size (measured in # months expenses it will cover)Emergency fund sizeWorking capital to fund the business planKnowledge level, in which areas of REI Support system, network (or "tribe")Lender or investor relationshipsThen turn the lens back on yourself. 

Originally posted by @Len Miller:I have a condo that I rent near Tampa FL.

Len Howell is the executive Vice President and could offer some insight and possibly help you. 

I'm talking 13-15% average annual returns at least, and ideally 17-20% + annual returns through real estate.If I'm zooming out with that lens and looking for that type of return, I need to think about the long-term and how I can build a strategy that has a high probability of producing that return long-term.