I also do not want to lever the total value of the properties above 50% (this will help immensely if there is another 2008 like downturn or any type downturn for that matter)(most conservative non-traded REITs like Blackstone use around 50% leverage as well) All 8 of our properties are very similar to this one example below.Using 5% Vacancy, 7% Repairs, 7% Capital Expenditures, 0% Management (self managed) in rental analysis calculator -Property A (paid cash) Year 1Purchase price: $80,000 Rent $1000/mo or $12,000 annualTotal Annual expenses $5,240Total Annual cash flow $6,760Cash on cash ROI $6,760/$80,000= 8.45%-Property A (Traditional 30 year fixed, 25% down, 5% rate, $2,500 closing costs) Year 1 Purchase price: $80,000 Rent $1000/mo or $12,000 annualTotal Annual expenses $9,105.12Total Annual cash flow $2,894.88Cash on cash ROI $2,894.88/$22,500= 12.87%-Property A (Alternative Lender 10 year, 25% down, 5% rate, $2,500 closing costs) Year 1 Purchase price: $80,000 Rent $1000/mo or $12,000 annualTotal Annual expenses $12,876.72Total Annual cash flow -$876.72Cash on cash ROI -$876.72/$22,500= -3.90%-The one alternative lender I found does not make sense as it creates a negative cash on cash return.

Alternatively, I could see how a single story prefab or modular might make sense.

Are there ways to use an alternative phone number online or for cheap?

You may be able to find a lender that offers alternative financing with less than 25% down however it will not be a Fannie/Freddie loan.  

I imagine there are imbedded fees that might exceed agents commissions, but I’m looking to move some personal properties quickly, and this seems like an interesting alternative to the traditional process.

@Matthew Mello if I were you, I'd try to do an "apples to apples" comparison between the two alternatives you're most interested in.For example, pick a neighborhood in Providence and one in Fall River, and then find a 3-family on the market in each, with the same # of bedrooms and roughly same square footage, roughly same parking situation, etc.Then start working up a spreadsheet of income and expenses for each.

When it comes to being a landlord, I just want a good tenant.Finally, the only thing to do, despite the alternate views I've expressed, is to keep marketing until the lease is signed and, to not sign a lease until money is paid.

Btw, good luck getting a broke tenant to pay your court costs, even if you prevail.The alternative would be to document every time you make an exception.  

Alternatively, start having some conversations with other local investors and bring them in as partners or hard money lenders.

Andrew, the issue is when starting up a business you dont have any alternatives with SBA or Bank Loans.