like what is the actual process when dealing with the homeowner3) i thought of this on my way home, but would you offer to cut a small check on the side to the owner if you got the property below a certain amount so that they would have an incentive to even go this route?

:40-60% gross revenue (after cleaning fees) for either 2 years or until the investment is recouped then 5-15% cut in perpetuity. 

House hacking can be a great way to get started investing while cutting your living expenses down to nothing.

The same economies of scale would could apply to submerging utilities and other cost cutting areas. 

Cut your losses, and learn from this experience.

My neighbor at a house I recently sold wanted me to cut down a tree that he felt was a danger to his property, conveniently after I called the cops on him for repeatedly parking in my driveway and refusing to move his vehicles... 

Apologies......BP doesn't let you attach a  file for review and it reformats excel cut and pastes.  

But part of me would like to get out of the city, cut my living expenses and maybe even live rent/mortgage-free!

That's a great to cut your teeth.

Je could cut the limbs up until the property line.