Unless you're managing your own properties, you may also want to consider partnering with a Real Estate Broker (unless you have your brokers license) to comply with legal requirements.

Do not rely on it as legal advice.

So we started slashing some small expense lines and saved 10% more of our take home pay into designated investing reserves. 

@Rocky Griffin another thing to consider, and be concerned with is... by letting him "live" there while he is working, if it has been 30+ days, he is legally a "tenant" and you may potentially have to go through the eviction process to get him out.

In many jurisdictions, Minors under the age of 18 cannot enter into legally binding contracts.

Hard money is designed for business use or non-owner occupied?

You are not the legal owner of the property until you settle with the trustees.

(Disclaimer) However, I'm not a legal advisor and so would recommend you have a chat to a local attorney about the situation.

To top I️t off, even if the information was accurate, homeowners would still want to use realtors to represent them because of the added comfort of having a professional with experience there to back you up and make sure you are going through the purchasing process legally and responsibly.

My wife is currently getting her associate's degree in graphic design (while working in our business full time).