In your case it sounds like “focus on maximum occupancy”.Unless you enjoy it, tinkering with building websites is an endless and painful game.

Ignore the title of the post, please.

Most people buying investment properties frequently establish long term relationships with a lender to save them from having to resubmit the exact same paperwork over and over again, and to keep things smooth, etc.If you're trying to close while physically overseas, I'd also start looking into settlement service providers, sometimes called a "title company" and sometimes called a "settlement lawyer" depending on the state the real estate is in.

You also haven't considered that he is going to have to pay title & origination costs on the mortgage for next place he wants to buy as well.

They have more skin in the game then you do.Make sure you get clear title.

I imagine a title company may be able to do this for a lot less than what looks like 2k

I was a title closer several years ago, both commercial and residential.

Recently, we started our first business: we designed a special mid-price organizer for tabletop gaming (D&D nerds here). 

I've been a longtime lurker of Bigger Pockets, but I've never gotten into the real estate game since I was moving around during to a 2-year rotational program.

According to the realtor, this transaction has been approved by the hard money lender and title company already.I have set a firm price at $100k, which is a good deal for the buyer, but I'd like the quick sale.Here comes the sketchy part: They would like me to accept payment of $125k with $25k being commission for the realtor, which the realtor is then going to use to pay the down payment.