I’m going to try to get it lower but no higher then 145k.

To find a good deal, you will most likely have to do some leg work to beat out other investors also searching in your area. 

Living in a basement sucks, and rent is lower as a result, and turnover higher.

Also, my husband especially, would like for us to move into more "hands off" investments even if that means somewhat lower returns.I have seen Delaware Statutory Trusts advertised as a vehicle for investing 1031 funds.

It looks like she's already paying more than the ARV, so I would suggest trying get a bit lower on the asking price and budget at least $10,000 reserves up front for unexpected surprises. 

This would be an alternative (and lower amount) to the predetermined amount they would contribute toward each semester of college tuition.

I don’t plan on purchasing this property as I am due to move and be out of the country here soon, but when I get back into the lower 48 I am planning on taking more action on potential deals.

Big, as in, selling your home, selling car(s), negotiating your credit cards to not just a lower payment, but a deal on how much is owed. 

Listing this as a problem because I don’t want to be over eager and lower my credit score unnecessarily.

Some benefits are that they obviously require a lower down payment, and lower credit scores are permitted, etc..