I'm new to the business, and looking for unique ways to acquire local investors...any ideas you could send my way, I would greatly appreciate!

That's a challenge - I'm placing bets...

You get hurt less should a small investment fail or become challenging.

Him and his wife have been surviving off the proceeds of it, has gathered some income, but (the main challenge currently) he's a Depression era person who's seeking "secure" investment strategies.

Tough, experienced competition in my area will make it a bit more challenging I'm sure, so preparation and patience is key.

However, she is slightly mentally challenged (probably drug related from her past) and I'm fairly sure she isn't going to move.

You are facing very deep pockets should a challenge arise.

Your numbers should be higher.One challenge with condos now is non-owner-occupied financing.

Having worked in commercial bank finance for 10 years, there would be some serious challenges in getting this done conventionally if it came across my desk, with or without the 30% down.

I know hedge funds stories has been kicked around a bunch but I thought this article I read today was good explaining what their process is for the big guys. http://www.costar.com/News/Article/Rising-Interest-Rates-Pose-First-Big-Challenge-to-Emerging-Single-Family-Rental-REITs/149416