I've had lenders in a third position refuse to take anything when the first is foreclosing (the third lost everything) and I've had first's that were owed $80k and took $5k.

According to OFHEO's latest House Price Index report, CA is generally in a very bad position.

How do I do these things in order to make certain that I dont put myself in a terrible position?

The details of the terms are up to you and the owner, so pretty much everything you bring up is up to the two of you.The bank will want to be in first position.

If this works out, I would be in a position where I probably would not want to sell the note.

If this in fact works out as well as I hope, it will perhaps be time to pick up another property in Myrtle when I review my position in a years time.

Very hard to have positive cash flow in CA on a sfr, unless you buy it with large down payments.As far as the repairs/maintenance factors mentioned by Ovetta, I disagree with the negative perception.

They are fully occupied and turning in a positive cash flow of about 400-500/ month.

From calculations, they should have a positive cashflow once rented and I'm keeping a positive booster the "brand new status" in my head.

Some Pointers on Sandwich Lease Options: * You Lease Purchase the home, and then sub-lease and sub-option to a tenant buyer for a better deal * If you have a smart Owner, an Owner that wants to make money with you, you can do a JV Agreement, where you share in profit over a certain amount (you are upfront about what you are doing: guaranteeing no out of pocket payments to the Home Owner in return for positive cash flow now (income) and a possible profit when the Tenant Buyer gets funded