These were buyers who were attracted by putting only $500k down rather than the $800-900 needed for institutional financing. 

You are giving your money to an institution and trusting that they will make the right decision with your hard earned capital.

The issue with the owner financing deals is the RV park industry is booming and there are a lot of institutional buyers with lots of cash in the market buying up the parks so most of the owner financing deals I see have a catch and there is a reason they are offering terms.

Speaking from my experience in Industrial Real Estate :-CMBS: Using full term I/O for a 10 year note is a favorite for many institutional investors. 

I will be working at the Illinois Institute of Technology since it is in the South so I am also looking for safe areas in the neighborhood of IIT. 

It is very true, big, institutional money is investing in the student housing sector pretty aggressively and if you don't have a house within a city block of the UofA, you are actually seeing rent rates go down as they lose out to the newer, nicer condo style buildings that have been built. 

Similar to their resolution to water conservation, Los Angeles instituted rain harvesting tanks as a requirement to any new roof areas built.

We live in Utah, does anyone know of any investor friendly financial institutions around Montgomery or just in general that are investor friendly.

I always recommend you check for a local chapter of the Community Association Institute.

Seek diverse perspectives beyond traditional financial institutions and learn from those who have excelled.Knowing who is handling your money and offering financial advice is essential.