@John Canque I can't believe how many friends I have/had who were responsible for allowing that to take place.  :-/  Everyone I have ever spoken with who had anything to do with it says, "Well, if it wasn't for the appraisers...if it wasn't for the lenders...if it wasn't for the government...if it wasn't for the bankers...If it wasn't for fannie..."

Does anyone know investor friendly attorney familiar with lease options who practice in New York- New Jersey area?

With this a number of friends and acquaintances have approached me with interest in partnering or money lending on projects.

And as far as streetside lines go,  this runs through a major commercially trafficked road, not a neighborhood and one of my friends owns a duplex just up the street and confirmed the gas line presence in his.

This should also ensure youre getting about 8% return on your money. 3- Business Friendly and Credit worthy State.

They were recommended by my house inspector/contractor, who was recommended to me from a BP friend.

I actually pretty known among my friends for being paranoid.

I got in touch with a different realtor (my friend refer), i told him what i wanted to do and it looks like he's more willing to help me find what i need to do n walk me thru some of the steps.  

(And just in case you were wondering, I'm not promoting myself in the least with this post, as I personally don't engage in general brokerage outside of immediate family/friends.

One way around that is to combine the gifted funds with other cash (loan from parents or friends, HELOC, etc.), buy the property with no lien on it, and then immediately finance it without a seasoning period.