For me, one of the most difficult hurdles to overcome was the negativity that came from friends and family about how risky it will be.

Hi @Wayne Brooks I presume you are a Realtor, and you think Lease Options are risky for the Seller @Michael Carbonare and I have worked with Lease Options and Seller Financing in general since the eighties.Many agents do not like Lease Options.

Just figured I'd add my comment to the pile in hopes of steering you away from a risky decision!

There is of course leverage in the stock market, but I see this as very risky, the real estate market can obviously go down (as we have seen in the recent past) but the markets don't move as fast as the stock market.

I don't want much risk. I

Risky, Risky, Risky.

The new debt will be short time and higher than regular financing as more risk is involved.If it is a bank owned property and completely vacant as you have described (actually worse as you mention 15% occupancy which could take awhile before you can even get these people out).

A cash offer is often considered less risky to the seller.

Not sure of her age since you didn't mention it, but it seems as though real estate may appear risky in her eyes.

They are less risky, you learn a ton about numbers and what to look for in an investment, and then you can use that knowledge to advance into flipping which will likely be the safer less risky way to start flipping.