You and your family are going to have to pinch pennies.

Your team is important and you do need to have the ability to payoff a loan in a pinch, hard money potentially.

The cash-on-cash is really all that matters actually. ...and a box of chocolate the the pretty lady from California. 

Just because a chocolate bar is out there, doesn't mean it needs to be eaten, nor is it potentially good for your health.

Eight months worth of reserve is usually enough buffer if I’m in a pinch. 

I just find myself always pinching pennys and getting on certain guys about what they did to make sure my money is being put to good use.

And yes, I can imagine if I was in a pinch and needed to sell but didn't have permits, that would not be a fun time. 

For the seller, closing is quicker, you still get money up front, it's an easy way to avoid foreclosure and save your credit if you're in a pinch, and if the seller decides against buying you're free to resell and treat the received money as if it were rent.For me, I see $ in referral fees and feel-good points for helping others reach home ownership.

That way, you force the loan balance down, but if you get into a pinch, you can pay the lower payment.

I’ve never personally heard of concrete bags down the sewer line or chocolate sauce in the air vents level sabotage before but I’m sure it’s happened.