We have to be the bad guys and shield for two emotional items. 

If you're selling to someone who will be a homeowner and is buying for emotional reasons, this may have a different impact. 

Then there is the wasted emotional drain and related work. 

can you take the emotions out of the relationship?

It sounds like you're in a tough situation, both financially and emotionally.

.$995 is great rent but you also don't want to evict if tenants can't pay because turnover costs can kill the ROI.Just my opinion  Looking back, I think a cheaper entry point could have been negotiated, but this one was my first ever purchase and I really wanted something to get my feet wet with. i think the emotional satisifcation of having a first rental was well worth a slight overpay. 

Hello Mark, Jumping into real estate can seem scary right at the forefront; however, it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences not only financially but also emotionally and mentally.

I would try to get creative here and figure out the emotion that is driving them to say cash only and tailor the terms around that. 

Again mixing personal relationship emotions with business relationships.

The machine has no emotion and no clue