But, almost everything seems to involve buying/selling in some form, and that means agents and brokers.

But if you are buying property in cash for, say, $200k, and need 50-100k for rehabs, that is a totally different risk profile for your lender.You could consider partnering with someone with experience.  

I've tried to buy decent properties in decent neighborhoods to minimize my risk, which also means there's not a TON of monthly cashflow, but I'm in it for the long haul and really truly looking for passive income or at least as passive as it can be. 

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment in Weatherford.

So my cautionary tale is when buying seller financed paper, make sure you are very in tune to the value of the property.PS: Even if this started out as performing, same concept applies - make sure you know the numbers/values of the property.

You could buy it out or increase the rate to reduce the years, but it will result in a much more costlier loan. 

Looking at REITs, farmland, maybe buying land at auction. 

So, when you buy the tax lien, you do not own the property.

I think finding an investor friendly agent can help you spot hidden gems like that and submit offers on your behalf that fit your buy criteria.

Anything you buy here will appreciate like crazy within the next few years.