It shouldn't be your job to manage that process, especially if the seller can't produce lease agreements. 

Then again, the negotiator may not produce it without a fee agreement.  

You can negotiate that payoff.Next, audit the file, if you have records of payments made then produce them and come to a correct payoff.

Produce yourself a fancy dancy assignment agreement and you're all set!

It seems to be a desirable path, especially with long-term loan rates being 3-4%, and with the inflation of the dollar it seems like a good idea to take on fixed, manageable debt..Anyway, I have about $15k in cash saved and would like to travel and look up different cities that seem to have a healthy pulse to them, currently looking at Indianapolis as an example.

My ultimate goal is to own multi unit properties as a way to produce income.

Your buying an income producing asset, so count on the income.

Eric,I am new to bigger pockets, I hope that the love can shift down to South Florida because it is a healthy market.

I would contact a Realtor or since I am a Broker in Austin and have MLS access you can message me and I will give you an idea of what it is worthThe Austin market is very hot right now and if I were you I would seriously consider taking advantage of the hot market and purchase an income producing property closer to home

Let's step outside of the SF Bay area and into real America for a minute:Base money supply doesn't produce inflation until it becomes M1, and this requires velocity.