You could also explore seller financing or a bridge loan to give you more flexibility.

Large down payments or extreme discounts from sellers would be needed to reach cash flow neutral stages. 

So permits are not relevant to the subject of this thread for my jurisdictionNot sure if there are jurisdictions that require permits for cabinets or counters but if there is, I suspect the motivation is the fees collected for the permits.So permits SHOULD be irrelevant on this thread.best wishes

In addition to the different tracks @Chris Seveney descrubed, there is also good information on creative financing and seller financing (including what to avoid).

Quote from @Jeffrey Bourque: Hello All, I am new and this is my first attempt at purchasing a property with the intent to create monthly cash flow.The property: Triplex Listed at $140,000 - Total monthly rent income $2,150 - Tenants want to stay and are all willing to sign new leases for 3 years - 8 beds 5 baths and 3,500sqft livable space on a 4,800sqft lot - Heat and electric paid by tenants and water trash paid by owner $180 month - I have managed to talk the selling price down to $105,000 with a kick of $10,000 for closing and commissions so $115,000 all in - Building is in fairly good shape according to pictures and questions but have not done a inspection yet - some general maintenance repairs are needed according to the seller but nothing that seems to bother the tenants. - Taxes are on the higher side at $6,000 yearMy Numbers: $115,000 putting 20% of my money $23,000 and finance the rest with total expense of $1,834Monthly expense numbers: Future Maintenance 13% $273 - Vacancy 5% $105 - Property Insurance 5% $105 - Property Taxes 23% $500 - Property management 10% $215 - Office/Travel/Legal 4% $84 - Mortgage 26% $552 - Monthly Cash Flow - $316 per month or $3,792 per year so Cash on Cash = 17%I think this looks like it is a deal worth doing and I also believe I can bump the total rent up by $50 each tenant which I think make it even better.

Coming from a family of lawyers the ones in my experience that make less than that are usually just not that motivated or are not that good at what they do.  

-How are arrears handled, how do you ensure once arrears are caught up that seller doesn't walk on you. - Can you do subto with a lein on property.

Any luck on motivating realtors in the area to actually get operating expenses/lease agreements for Jackson County specifically George?

The only other options I can see are A) your mom partnering with you rather then selling the property to you - you become 50% owner and bring the funds and management to the rental while she provides the existing equity as her contribution; or B) your mom lending you the rehab cash out of her personal funds while also seller financing the house to you. 

Or a seller finance calculator showing the monthly payment based on negotiated price, interest rate, down payment, etc.