Keep your REI account separate from your personal account and never rob it to enhance your personal life until your WHY is achieved.  

Provide all of the above for low margins on a property that is not going to enhance the portfolio. 

Still the local banker doing those kinds of loans might clue you in with zero self serving information about the market, its worth the exercise     

I was able to scrounge up 15k through family for the down payment, but I had no money to enhance the property I was buying.

You pay a token rent; just enough to validate the contract as legit.Also, he gives you a lien on the property for $5,000 to protect your interest/option fee, which would be released if you chose NOT to exercise your option.Whatever you do, don't let this go beyond 6 months. 

But the concept is that if you adhere to what's in the contract and exercise that clause, then you can get your deposit back and terminate the contract.Now, not finding a buyer. 

You could offer him a chunk of the equity payout, if/when the tenant exercises the lease option, in return for a lower purchase price so that the property cash flows nicely during the lease period or partner with him through the whole deal and have him mentor you through this one (if he isn't willing, I would question why?)

She stated that the role of politicians was to be civil servants and enhance the lives of their constituents. 

Perhaps 4-6 agreed upon milestones with payment terms exercised with each progressive step. 

It will give the extra mile of paying low taxes ( enhancing total return of the investment).Finally, after analyzing the investment, if you can really afford the negative cash flow, go for it.