You want to understand their track record and what have they done.Also ask for a list of 5 references of people who have invested with them.

Last year I put myself out to my community offering handyman services and was very upfront about what type of work I was capable of. 

I understand no contract was signed, but if there is correspondence you can provide when going to court that show there were written agreements of service, and you paid him in a way you can track (PayPal, Check, etc and not cash) then you stand a chance in the argument. 

Hi Cynthia,You are on the right track with your analysis. 

With the full amount with the two combined the buyer can use those funds towards any upgrades needed.Has anyone tried this strategy before, or am I on the wrong track?

The problem I am trying to solve here is identifying the best way to track down next of kin. 

It's Likely that just the thought of eviction will be enough to get them on track as they can't move their business easily.Gene

It may drag between 0 and -$250 in negative cash flow but we want the option to move back as well as it's in a high rent area so if we can see it through to payoff (we are long term holders) it's a cash cow in retirement and it'll be paid off in our fifties.Here's the plan we've been hatching:1. use an 80/10/10 to buy an SFR in Colorado as new primary residence - keeping an eye on the 1% rule but knowing that this won't be a rental for at least 2 years, the reason we wouldn't be putting more down is houses are in the $350-450k range and we want to reserve enough cash to stay on track for #2 below. the piggyback would let us avoid PMI but also pay off the balance at our leisure with the added bonus of keeping a HELOC open as well. 2.

@Soda P. we see people come on here often who ask one question and leave, it typically happens when someone doesn't receive the response they were hoping for and it could be tracked back to them at one point. 

Sounds like you are on the right track by networking with local investors and figuring out which strategy will be right for you.