I can see if you walk in and say I want to do sandwich lease-options, many will not want to get involved with you.If you can demonstrate knowledge, they will be more likely to work with you, if they see you don't have a clue, you may not be worth thier time teach you the legal issues and why.

8% percent is not bad at all with financing involved.

If I may suggest, narrow down your focus of what you plan to do and what the involvement would be for the investor.You may also want to seek employment with an old real estate investor in your area.

Easy to use with REO and other properties involving realtors.

The allowance given by a lender may be different if rents are involved based on market rents ascertained in the future which can reduce the equity credit and causing loan-to-value issues for the loan, but regardless, the closing will go by the contract as agreed.

I was denied a pre-approval and am looking for a partner on this deal.

How do you decide who gets accepted and who gets denied?

Her approach to doing Real Estate deals is the exact way I want to do them, where all parties involved in the deal come out on top.  

You will build relationships, nurture them, and stay involved -- and that's especially true with your property (i.e. asset) manager.I will add one more consideration for you to this thread, and that is reputation.

It would be extremely wise to have an attorney involved through the entire process.