@Jordan Hanksion Having been in your position exactly, I did all the research I could online - long distance etc, but eventually had to get on a plane and go meet with the boots on the ground and vet the possibilities with my own eyes.

So, if they wanted to make things less scary for the seller, they might agree to record a quit claim deed at closing returning the property to the seller, and then draft the note such that, upon any default, said deed would be executed.If the investor does default, things would have really gone sideways for them: They would have just forfeited sweet, low-cost, non-qualifying, non-recourse financing.

I pulled the documents (yay my county and its online property records) and the forgivable mortgage appears to be in 2nd position.  

Then I came across this forum online.

Check out the articles online (especially 234 Suydam Ave).

But started buying junk properties for under $10,000 using all the creative formulas I could think of (credit cards, commercial over draft protection, credit lines, partners, lots of Subject to Existing Mortgages, delayed settlement, flips and seller/contractor partnering). 

Hello all I'm the new kid on the block with something that's on my mind and I wanted to share it with you all.I was looking on line for deals and I came across a property that's going for $75,000.

I came across Biggerpockets online while reading an article and figured that I would join up! 

It's usually pretty easy to find out what the current zoning is, either online, or by going to the city/county offices and asking. 

Love this the best information I have ever found online with the fluff gone about Real Estate!!