The deal fell through the day before the closing because the sellers could not afford to close.

Tell them you are an Alabama  small business owner, or a landlord or property manager, and often cannot afford a lawyer to protect your rights.

I can’t afford to do that.

If you go about an hour West, the housing gets a lot more affordable. 

I’m a CPA with experience in tax preparation for real estate investment partnerships and am currently a property controller for a commercial real estate property management company specializing in the health care industry.

If you can afford it, invest in your sales training and education.  

  - Risk to buyer: HOA balance is high and seller can not afford it (planing to rent the property in order to pay - transaction canceled. seller loose construction money- Risk to buyer: if finance and loan can't close or property didn't get appraised. - Risk to seller: contractor injure & will sue owner on record- Risk to seller: Contractor cause an error with plumbing or electric - can be costly to  seller since until the deed not signed - property still belong to seller and buyer can just loose escrow. 

Edward, if your desire is to hold onto the land (or a vacant property) & you can afford to do that without receiving cashflow, then it might be a good investment.  

True wealth is the combination of health, happiness, $, love, etc. 

If it helps, I've been in my current job 3 1/2 years (and hate it), earn about 43k per year, I pay $900 monthly rent now and don't think I can afford to pay more than that without other source of income, also loan would be only myself and my credit is in the 690's.My priority now is quitting my 9-5 job, but this end of lease is making me question what is the right next step for me.Any advise, comments and guidance is greatly appreciated!!