This year and following up next year is just paying off unnecessary debt, working on paying off my auto loan, will bring my DTI even lower.

- I think this is a better option than self financing with him at a lower value with added interest to get him to his price just due to time constraints on mortgage term plus the numbers seem to make more sense based on the passive income captured through a good lease deal.- How do I avoid him from selling while under lease?

when I will back the water and sewer bill to the tenants it’ll be even lower. 

He got nothing other than more mortgage payments and lower valued home.

I would try to get the sale price lower.

With cash you have great negotiating power, lower closing costs, higher income and the ability to withstand extreme market fluctuations.

who would finance for Canadians, albeit at lower LTVs (50% - 65%).

Lower income area, but I believe under market rents by 50-100. 

Most of the plumbers and HVAC companies charge at least $90 to show up even if it's a 10 minute job.Are there ways to negotiate lower prices if a certain amount of business is done each month?

I don't have 20% to put down on a $160,000 triplex or fourplex and the lower cost associated with townhomes is why I think it would be a better fit for me.