As a plus, the tenants credit is destroyed for a long period of time. 

When I began my journey to financial freedom after the housing crash in 2007 that destroyed me I came across http://earlyretirementextreme.com/ and I can’t stress enough the importance of living below your means if you want to increase your net worth.

If I continue working at my current employer I probably wont be able to afford anything in my area anytime soon. 

Don’t worry bout the staining, a tenant that will stain granite is the same tenant that will destroy your Formica.!

First, the owner said that he wont vacate because he was worried about loosing out on his rental income if we didn't close.

Since she wont let you see the house, assume the worst repair wise and plan for a gut job.

But hey, all good....I don't mind the remote thing.. just wont make the same mistakes again...

@Miho HatanakaNot sure what my computer is up to but it wont let me quote your post lol. 

So I purchased a property in Pawtucket, RI with a Fannie Mae (and home ready) conventional loan at 5% of the purchase price + closing costs and no sellers assist so I got in for like 20K (the property was turn-key new mechanicals/ roof etc. and I wont have to do any major rehab on the property in the next 5 years hopefully.) 

It just seems that after taking the equity and then acquiring a mortgage payment, there wont be much left as far as profit. we will be managing, rehabbing, and assuming this job without profits.