Most of our loans are fully amortized and those that aren't, are 10 year balloons where we'll have more than 50% equity (at the purchase price) upon loan maturity in 2030+. 

The purchase contract makes the buyer legally responsible for the loan. 

I am currently helping a VA buyer purchase a home with an assumable VA loan in Skye Canyon.

Buyers usually want to purchase on today’s value while sellers often want to use future potential of the property (“current rents are below market” or “room to build an additional property”, etc) to increase the purchase price or likelihood of a sale.

Quote from @Brandon Le: Your first purchase could/should be a house hack.

Is it better to have a willing seller and buyer before sending the initial purchase/sale agreement?

House hacking by purchasing a duplex, triplex, or single-family home with extra rooms can help you reduce or eliminate housing costs while building equity.

I actually purchased a SF house with a two story detached garage in a nice area of brockton.

For an investment property (purchased as an owner occupant), that is insane. 

@Rebekah Shields why didn't your pre-purchase inspection find the foundation issues?