We simply asked the owner if she would carry the note.

This sounds like a recipe for disaster...and I think I am justified in that assessment since one of the places you have considered investing is with a company that are complete scam artists.All investing is a risk based activity, but people need to learn and understand better risk assessments and mitigation.

In these parts we cannot include a survey exception for lenders coverage even if a survey was not undertaken (and access is a covered risk).

The carrying costs for the house are not cheap considering the interest payment, utilities, insurance, and taxes. 

If this was 1980 and I had to carry a calculator to do the math like a nerd, sure I'd be on board with the rules.

What are the risks?

I control the property using zero-down seller financing - owner carries a mortgage for the agreed upon amount2.

I control the property using zero-down seller financing - owner carries a mortgage for the agreed upon amount2.

Hey Carrie,This is in my back yard.

Free on this coast is DIY.All the information is public, you just need to know how and what to retrieve, review and analyze.I can't imagine giving away that work that for free with the hope of insuring a high risk transaction.