@Marci Stein, I've definitely heard of that, but it's not so cut-and-dry. 

I was going to do this for two reasons:1) If they agree to 4% over 10 years this will not only help me out by giving me a lower rate than through traditional financing but it will also allow them to recoop their sale price in the form of interest payments. 2)  This will get them to have skin in the game.

You can't compare yourself to a long time investor who has skin in the game and a big team.

Meaning will this take all your funds and leave you dry if it fails.

I remember on the podcast they mentioned if it one of your first times, you could1. put some skin in the game(put up a bit of money)2. ask your friends and family for the money( raise it yourself)3. get someone to be a guarantor for the loanOr if you have some history of 1 or 2 projects you've already done that should help a lot

(Sub-questions: does he have skin in the game by investing his own capital?

She will have no skin in the game, you will be taking all the risk. 

She broke her lease and she ran the oil completely dry (I have a matching policy in my lease), I did collect a $700 security deposit.

There are always people looking for a good home at all times of the year, but more prefer to move when the weather is warm and dry and at a time other than during the holidays.

Sellers might balk and say buyer has no skin in the game tying the property up but that isn't true because of the money spent on upfront due diligence can be substantial.