As with prior endeavors I will be taking a cautious approach, of course, but if possible I'd like the financing allow for the purchase of multiple properties, but saving on closing costs, etc...

I think the seller is cautious and doesn't want her time wasted which I can respect, but I also don't want to put myself in a position to lose money so I'm asking if anyone, with more experience than I,  has advice on how to approach this. thanks!

I understand that there are many here that are genuinely trying to help, but in my short time here, I've also seen the inquiries of "offered help" that gets me very cautious.

If everything goes well then our worst tenant ever will be moved-out in just under 12 hours from now, the champagne is on ice and we are cautiously optimistic. 

However, you need to be cautious when it comes to real estate as there is much more to the IRS Regulations.  

There is a gal in Atlanta that lives completely off these - she teaches continuing education credit courses on leasing to agents & pairs up with the top agents in her market netting 10-30 deals a month.Some people buy leads, or pay for marketing (ppc/adwords, content marketing, SEO, - I would avoid this until you have 200-400 doors & even then I'd be very cautious (avoid anything with lengthy contracts).Online reviews trump marketing - create a proactive process to get consistent reviews online from your tenants & owners - the leads you get from review sites will take half the time to close and your close rate will be more like word of mouth.

And if I would rent to the guy if he was paying every month - I would rent to him if he's paying a year in advance.If you want to be even more cautious than that: Tell him that instead you want him to open a checking account with the money and write you twelve properly post-dated checks - one for each month and see how he reacts to that.

You have to be cautious about a disguised installment sale.

This is generally not a do-it-yourself project and I'd be extremely cautious about taking money from anyone that is unsophisticated or non-accredited.

If you are not skilled I would be cautious.