The owner tells me they are motivated to sell and willing to considerably discount the property for a fast transaction, without realtors, commissions, closing costs, etc.  

I worked with others in the area who I was not happy with.The consideration of this came largely out of a mutual effort between me and my manager to see how we can reduce turnover and costs.

I assume your name (or a business where you are a member/principal) is listed as 'buyer', along with an explicit right to assign the contract.The 'easy' way to assign the contract is to have a one page document stating that for some consideration, the 'buyer' transfers/assigns the contract to a new 'buyer'.

The fee can replace your funds too.When you assign a contract and the consideration is paid the grantee or buyer is entitled to the contract, so yes, they get the buyer's copy and original with the assignment.

Proximity to downtown, airport, or tourist destinations, as well as aesthetic appeal factor largely into my considerations.

Then what transacts is the passing of that interest in equity to effect the other half of the pie paying consideration.

They knew the borrowers received a consideration payment for the deeds from me, as I provided all paperwork for the purchase to the lender.

Don't give up and don't artificially limit your pool just because you ran three people through your magical screener tool and think you need to pick between all of those duds.Also note that many landlords experienced with landscaper tenants find that carpets get trashed with dirt and walls get smudged by grubby hands so something to note for future reference in your considerations for applicants.

I own a property management company and have a considerable amount of clients who has section 8 tenants occupying their units.

@Betsy Chacon there's other variables to take into consideration.