An option period is a specific timeframe that both parties agree to in which the buyer can terminate the contract for any reason without risking their earnest money.

Another option is going to be looking for off market deals, but they are going to want all cash or hard money loan, which you could do for a year and then refinance it once the property passes inspections for a long term loan.

People getting wise to wholesalers that will only close IF they can sell property for more than contract price, and use option period or weasel clause to terminate.  

Ask your grandpa for the money.

We are using a hard money loan at 9.9%. 

Or is potentially my only option then to look at hard money loans?

I asked him how much money he was intending to invest.  

a first second third and fourth. although for those investing being in 8th or 10th place is pretty poor position to be in. good luck with it.. when you start to be an operator managing others money then you need to step into the real world of finance and how to set them up.

I also use the Vrbo tools and it provides all the automation I need and I'm not spending money on a bunch of extra software 

On that thread most Landlords ( Housing providers) disagreed with her thought process and though to spend money lobbying this was not warranted.