When you say that you will be the energy provider to the building, how are you planning on hooking your system into the grid and monitoring how much you supply to the tenants?

I am looking to by some VR equipment and finding no easy solutions.

The house is in great condition and wouldn't exactly need any repairs immediately.I'm looking to get started with my first deal, and I'd love to approach him with a solution that gets him the money they need up front and can bring in a little money in my pocket too. 

You guys make valid points, if I were in the market for a turnkey investment I can see how finding an all in house solution would be beneficial.

I will also say that, you may want to use your own mailing service because you can't monitor any mailing company that your hired to send out your postcards! 

I would never pay everything up front, just looking for a solution to insure things keep moving.

The lease option, especially on properties you own, can be a really good, hassle-free(ish), REI strategy that creates win-win solutions.

But his solution is that we can still refi for the money I owe- just no cash out.

I been trying to figure this out, there is a solution to every problem, it just I don't know it yet, that's why I am asking, but yes Travis you are right, my best option is VA, as for start, that would put me in 2 rental property for about 2+ years already,

Afaik having the FHA loan does not prevent you from getting a conventional one on the second property - would a hybrid approach like buying first 4-plex using FHA loan (to take advantage of the very low downpayment) and then another SFH/duplex using a conventional loan be a good middle of the road solution here?