The lot doesn't generate cash flow so it does not throw off any money to make a payment with. 

We use the RHAWA lease agreement, if you are not a member of that organization or WLA, I would recommend you sign up.In the RHAWA lease agreement (not Seattle specific), it states that security deposit can be used all purposes including unpaid rent, damage, cleaning, late payment, utilities, keys and other charges.It is never a bad idea to pay for an hour of an attorney's time to go over any of these concerns and then you can be confident you are following the law.

Protect that down payment money.  

Unfortunate situation but learned our lesson with up front rent payments!

On any cash deal where no mortgage is being recorded then I've seen title accepting docusign and other digital signatures.If overseas and require a wet signature there are two ways to do it. 

I am not talking about just dropping coverage and taking the risk, and I am not talking about dropping insurance and putting monthly payments into a savings account.

A property bought for $100k that has $10k of "Net Operating Income (NOI)" with ZERO Mortgage has a Cash Flow of $10k annually.The SAME Property, if purchased with a Mortgage that also has an annual payment of $10k means that the cash flow is ZERO for the exact same property.How can you say that Cash Flow is a characteristic of the Property?

I have 2 rental properties(a 2 family home that I bought 9 years ago that needs new roof eventually and a short term rental a few hours away up north that has a 5.2 rate and is very updated) I used a cash out refi in 2021 for the 2 family to take out 25k(and it lowered my payment, went to a 3.2 rate for 25 years for the 2 family) and then used that 25k to buy a 240k cabin up north to use as a short term rental and family vacation home.2023 was the first full year for the cabin and it brought in 25k, however expenses were 36k, so 11k in the negative.

So, in the short term products: the 6-12-18 month bridge loans are interest only loans that have a balloon payment at maturity. 

Also discuss with the contractor the time expected for the project if its small, mid or large and if it needs permits and how long would it take for permitting and all, also payment terms, make sure you go with payment terms that are fair to you and the contractor (so many terms but most common is monthly based on completed work with an upfront for materials) and ALWAYS keep the last payment until project is closed (retainage) and you do your walkthrough and if there's any issues you write them down and provide the contractor with (punch list to release the retainer once they're corrected or fixed). read about how to deal with contractors and always ask for references but it really depends on how big the job is, personally I wouldn't spend too much time doing due diligence on small jobs such as door latches or shelving rather on additions, layout change and other scopes.Good luck!