I've been pondering this topic of finding ways to get into REI with limited funds for a while now as many others have also I'm sure.

I'm not saying it's impossible, we just had a similar situation with a client and we were able to get him under contract, your agent will definitely need to know how to maneuver this issue and find ways to make your offer more enticing, whether is by waving contingencies, offer a higher down payment, etc, not saying these are the best ideas, but just some ideas to ponder. 

This past month, my wife and our two girls went away for a months vacation, so did my tenant for most of the month.

working so many hours at a software company and not spending enough time with my delicious two girls lead to realize I have to generate passive income if I want to control my time.

I just turned 35 and just had a baby girl.

But this girl you could tell really was on the ball, and the paint job was as good as any professional would have done.

The guy who now can't find anyone to drive around with Uber or the girl not able to AirBnB her place will probably cut virtually all expenses, such that soon you have everyone without a nickel, asking everyone for a nickel. 

This property is certainly the ugliest girl on the block which caught my interest the first day it hit the market.

The house rents for $850/mo, and I think I could push it to $950, give or take - but the debt payments (30-year loan at 4.75 or 5%) and taxes and insurance would take up all of that, leaving nothing for renovations.One alternative I’ve pondered would be to secure it and then seller-finance it to an owner-occupant.

If they were approved by a bank to buy an $850k home last year, now selling that home for a gain, I know them and have positive experiences and believe they have solid character, we were neighbors for a while, their young girls are very sweet (and occasionally very helpful with yard work) ...why would another background check be required?