There's nothing preventing the former owner from qualifying as the prospective owner-occupant as long as they meet the strict guidelines for being a prospective owner-occupant as set forth in Civil Code 2924m(a)(1). 

Are you looking for official businesses, or more local mom-and-pop Property Managers?

Check with your local community bank and credit union. 

As a local investor and agent here in Columbus, let me know if you have any questions or want to connect!

Go to BUILD YOUR TEAM at the top of the screen and look for local investors or meetups in your area.

My guess is that the arrangement you contemplate would not meet FHA underwriting guidelines, but I am not a MLO and have not had a conventional or FHA loan in decades.

As a local realtor here in Charlotte, I've seen people do both.

Snow, then you don’t have a deal.Looking at it differently, instead of offering a lender a return that doesn’t even meet the rate of inflation, why don’t you offer your seller $200k for the property?

While we are looking for available rentals in general websites like apartments.com I am looking for advice on any local websites/forums/groups where good student rentals can be found?

Meet them in person and have them sign it when you pay them.