Shaylynn, looks like you’ve put a lot of thought into picking the right market, and you’ve got some solid options on your list.

If you're looking for insights or need financing options for flips or rentals, I'd be happy to help.

It would be our preference to invest in upstate NY because we could drive there relatively easily, but if there are better deals elsewhere, we would be more inclined to go with option (1).Hi Bethany, if you're investing in NY, unfortunately the price range is crazy high and you won't find any cash flow.

Also, if there’s a mortgage, transferring it to an LLC could trigger the due-on-sale clause, requiring lender approval.Better Alternatives to Avoid Reassessment & Save on Taxes:Living Trust (Best Option) – Your aunt and stepfather could quitclaim their interests to your aunt, who then sets up a revocable trust naming your mother and you as beneficiaries.

Here is how some steps are categorized.Performing Loan30 day lates90 day latesAssignmentNotice of Default VA loanNotice of Default FHA loanNotice of Default Conventional loanNotice of Trustee's Sale/Notice of ForeclosureLis PendensContinuation/PostponementLoan ModificationReinstatementBankruptcyAuctionReal Estate OwnedThere other possible steps, but these are what you will typically see.The key is to know what you can do in each of the steps in the state the property is in.Then you need to know what to avoid and what the options are for the owner and options available to the lender.

Deal with it.Correct me where I'm wrong but Novations can be executed by either a Power of Attorney being given to the investor or by an investor just doing the paperwork, both being done after they secure their interest with an option contract (unless there's some other creative thing I haven't heard about yet).

Any of the second tier large cities like Greensboro, Winston Salem, Asheville, Wilmington, and the surrounding areas will have plenty of options.

Consider lease optioning the “now keeper” and walking the created debt forward if you lease option buyer can cash you out. 

Since the mortgage rates have been higher than previous years and the inventory has been lower I'd recommend looking into multi family options that are currently cash flowing in areas that values are increasing.

Look into all the options.