If you don’t have cash to pay an option fee though, what benefit does the seller get in locking up this property for you?

So, I suspect there would be a negative reaction to a crawl space because there might be a modest stigma about it here. 2) One of the benefits of a slab would be no steps to get into the house.

Additionally, only my aunt's third appears to benefit from the 250k capital gains exemption.The house has appreciated approximately 300k in the last 16 years. 

The benefit is that you'll be able to use the same funds to repeat the process for more properties without having to pay off the previous ones.

As long as they have income other than Social Security Benefits, you can garnish their wages.  

The home possible loan also has the benefit of the ability to reduce/eliminate PMI when you reach 20% equity (if you choose not to refinance). 

@Sharon Kehnemui Get with your CPA and find out how it can benefit the seller and then show/tell them.

This essentially means the management company is merely a bridge for the owner to have access to a franchise as well as added benefits and resources (this can be HR, accounting, purchasing, etc.)I am not familiar with the deal you have on your desk, but I would approach with caution.

Is that the main reason or are there other benefits?

I just have trouble seeing the benefits for a hard money lender cash flow wise to get their money back and more?