Buyers should always do an inspection; it's a requirement in my private client firm. 

you may have to save up until you have enough money to do so - down payment, closing costs, reserves, etc.House Hacking: What Is It, How to Start, and Strategies for Successit's a more powerful way to get started. 

And I provide solid returns for my private lenders in the process.

Instead of their cash sitting in a savings account, they decided it would be a better investment to earn 3% on their money instead of .03% in the bank.

I would just make sure you're saving for reserves and expect that first year to be really about learning the house.

This would help save me some money to use on the house that is getting renovated and I wouldn't have any money out of my pocket up front for the duplex except when the mortgage starts.

We are able to save about $100K per year so putting down $85K is possible for us with our current situation. 

So the question becomes based on their individual and personal tax situation what is the estimated tax burden they'd save? 

In our still relatively limited experience, seller financiers are usually looking to get a higher asking price in exchange for the favor of the private loan. 

I have yet to have a guest ask for a refill or mention the quality (I tried to pick a nice-looking, not-too-expensive brand).Be careful with the scents -- I had a run of people pulling out and hiding the scents and one or two people complained that they were scent-sensitive in private notes.