The catch is that there is literally 0 vacancy and no forclosures in my market so I don't know if anybody will be able to relate to my situation but I have actually found that this is a fairly good market to get started in because while Im not swimming in money, I know I have good renters every month which keeps things very consistent.I realize Im cutting it a little close but the surplus of renters has enabled me to get into a number of different homes by releveraging the equity from the properties that are on a 15 year mortgages and it has actually worked out fairly well and could now bank roll just about any major occurance.

“What skills do they have that enable them to get this done?”

I do want to retire early enough to enjoy myself more, I have an okay work/life balance now but in say 5 years or so ideally I would like to quit my day job and have a few different sources of semi-passive income streams to enable me to spend more time doing what I like to do most (travel, spend more time with my wife and kids etc.).So in developing a plan, I was thinking today about my current goal of buying several SF and/or MF properties with reasonable CF over then next 5+ years to supplement my "early" retirement.  

Once again.... every situation is unique, and I'm not saying to be enablers of bad behavior.

How do I modify my lease option agreement with the seller to enable me to assign it to this tenant buyer and still collect my assignment fee?

You won't find much appreciation, but you will find cashflow that will enable you to pay off your expenses, pay the mortgage, and eventually end up with a free and clear house, even after paying for a property manager, of which there are many.

We're enabling these lazy scumbags by giving them everything - and that's a national tragedy!

May I ask what bank  your broker finally connected you with which enabled you to use your boarder income? 

Robert is clear about the necessary lead times, which people do not always follow, and which enables him to personally handle the funds on behalf of his clients: he does every transaction.When I spoke with my attorney about the fees I was being charged for his services, she was shocked.

Embed the project manager with your level of thinking so they know your investment parameters which will enable he or she to contribute to your property search, contractor selection and end product.