However, I want to hear if there were different angles to approach getting in slowly but surely.

I was approached by the neighbors on the Friday preceding the Monday thy went to the city.

Show friendliness so that you're approachable, but stand firm by the laws and the lease.Sometimes, the threat is empty and they won't follow through.

Use caution in this approach.. like all of these guru tactics they sound great but can be disasters in practice.

We have worked incredibly hard (7 days a week) and lived very modest (eating beans and rice) to save up $400k cash. 

Something my ******* mortgage company could have let me know a month ago when I submitted all the gift letters and bank statements, etc.Anyway - before I get too far gone here, this is my question:Closing should have been on Tuesday - seller is accommodating and is ok with me working on securing funds for mortgage.Is it too late to approach them about owner financing?

Sadly, I never really took the time to learn from her, so I've started this process with no expertise.Honestly, I've been lurking on forums, reading blog posts/books, and grilling coworkers with portfolios, trying to piece together something approaching a business plan for a few months now.

Just go in with the expectation that it is going to be an incredible amount of work with very little to show for it in your first few months.   

I agree with the 1031 exchange approach if you are wanting to stay in real estate.Regarding the pending crash...I am not sure if there will be a crash but I am expecting a slow down if rates rise 2-3 times this year and then 3 more times in 2019. 

Their future home is not going to be available until then, they would be sleeping in a hotel, so the closing time frame was incredibly important to them.