If the seller will not go for that then we have a neutral third party title company that the seller or their attorney has no ownership interest hold the EM.If the sellers demand to hold it themselves or the sellers attorney then we decline to go under contract with them.

The luxury vinyl tile in a stone look is pretty, neutral and looks durable but after having removed sheet vinyl I don't like glue down anything--but tiles should be okay.  

In your shoes I'd hope that these are professionally managed so I'd have a chance at getting "neutral" financials by a property manager that wants to keep the contract.  

Based on the numbers, if it were on my market I would look at if it met my non-financial standards because it meets my financial standards.I have purchased a cash neutral property that I BRRRRed taking our ~$100K. 

Because they want a place that they would consider "livable" by their standards, we are looking looking for a property in a location of average prestige that is able to remain cash flow neutral when they move out and rent both units. 

I also want to keep the name neutral as I'd likely spin a site that'd provide as a portal for people to see the properties etc.

Excellent neutral choices, will definitely be widely appealing.  

@Chris Seveney @Andy Mirza I would think one benefit of having a neutral 3rd party servicing your loans is that when it came time to sell your paper, the quality of the payment history couldn't be called into question by a potential note buyer, vs. the note buyer having to take your word for it if you are doing your own servicing.Still, servicing OTHER people's notes might be a business worth looking into, depending upon the potential profits margins vs. regulatory headache. 

While the states taxes are high, depreciation keep us pretty to neutral if not negative.

Repaint entire downstairs more neutral gray color.