I'd like to make tenants responsible for lawn/yard maintenance and provide a self propelled push mower.

300 or 400 would be ok for a smaller house.You can provide You Tube TV for cable and local channels so you don't look too cheap.

Also looking into the possibility of providing private lending.

I offer a two year lease option. 3 years is too long in my opinion but if you are simply looking for cash flow, 3 years is fine.Since they are providing 10% down, I don't have them put down a security deposit.

He has already submitted an application through Zillow, and we have the contact number of his current home manager.Please let me know if it's still a good idea to ask the potential tenant for a recommendation letter from their current landlord, or if calling the manager would suffice.By the way, what should we do if the tenant has simply provided a friend’s number, and the friend pretends to be the landlord or property manager, or if he just make fake letter?

Hard money, like @Andrew Steffens said is for temporary funds to buy, fix then refinance.

My goal is to come up with a way to avoid interest payments as a buyer and/or a seller while still providing or receiving financing.

Thank you in advance for your time and any help or tips you can provide.

Network and try to find a mentor in these groups or wherever you can to help guide you through this industry.But if your market doesn't provide the cash flow you're lookng for I would check out single family and duplexes in Cleveland, OH that can produce strong cash flow such as 44102, 44109, 44111, and 44135.Go into Zillow under rents and look at days listed and contacts.

I would understand that if he was just representing me as the buyer's agent and not owning it 50/50 with me, he would be able to take 100% of that commission for himself, for providing that service.