My question is: Since neither of us have the funds to do a traditional 20% down AND cover the rehab, what other creative options would you suggest?

;o)I would ideally like to use the money to set up one VR and another traditional in the same area to see how they compare. 

For traditional rentals, we use a property manager.

Ideally is to purchase the investment all cash and refinance to a 30 years traditional.

Financial security and freedom from traditional workforce.Inherited a 4 plex and owner financed one next door after being laid off.

When most refer to Seller Financing, they are talking about the seller taking back a note on the property they are selling to you, or in other words, they are replacing a traditional lender (bank) for your financing. 

Becuase if you off by 10k or even 20k... it will be an issue. are you buyign with traditional loan?

Traditional carpet can go over a sub floor in rougher condition - the carpet pad hides a lot of imperfections.

In that case, the marketing agents have an investor network that they're selling in to which is much different than the traditional agent relationship.

Benefits of Full-Time Real Estate Investing vs. the “Traditional 9-5” Whether you are a passive or an active real estate investor, the major benefit of becoming a full-time real estate investor is having control of your own time.