So sure, you're giving the seller some of your upside, but if the alternative is waiting years for cap rates to go up, you might be waiting a while.

You should consider this as well as the other alternatives others have provided for you. 

Alternatively it seems the cards present another barrier, since lower income folks also need to purchase the cards (and likely lose them frequently).

Yes - it will make it more marketable to potential buyers and are a safer alternative in most cases. 

I have been looking into a business line of credit that would use current equity as collateral, and I'm hoping to find some alternatives to compare this option to.If anyone has suggestions or comments, I am interested to hear them.  

4) -Create an alternative road-*Any year now I could fall in love, get married and have kids.

The beautiful thing is... many cities/counties across the nation are VERY concerned with the "missing middle" in the housing market and are starting to warm up to tiny homes and other "alternative" housing options.My team and I are in process of developing our first tiny home community as we speak!

Or alternatively the OOS investor that is not a newbie who can purchase large unit counts (30+ unit apartment building could likely work for OOS).It is not an easy market for newbies right now in San Diego due to the high costs and it is my view that the zero appreciation markets have never been an easy market for the OOS newbies.

HappinessSeven Ways to Get Startup CapitalDealing with FailureDealing with Age/Height/Being in Prison/Ill HealthFive Suggestions for Finding a Supportive SpouseDealing with Procrastination/ Windfalls/Falling in Love/It's-free OffersWhat Not to Talk about When You First Meet a Potential SpouseWhat to Disclose on the Third DateChecklist of Personal Habits for Success • How to Dress • How to Talk on the Phone • How to Make Eye Contact • How to Shake HandsLearning Skills in NegotiatingInsurance–What to Buy and What Not to BuyThe Hard Task of Making Decisions That Close off Alternatives in Your LifeLeading a Balanced Life and Still Retiring in 24 YearsNine Barriers to Financial SuccessHow Wealth in a Society Is CreatedOvercoming the Psychological Barriers to Sunk Costs–Deciding Not to Continue Being a Dentist.This book is written for 10th grade through adult. 

I will definitely consider alternate sources and work on messaging.