Provided you have a valid contract with the seller, you can record an instrument (e.g. an Affidavit of Purchase and Sale Agreement) with the deed clerk that formally announces your intentions as buyer.

You're staying away from the initial intent of selling by not executing contracts at the same time. 

Brad Is your intent to buy and hold the properties for cash flow purposes ?

I remove all the gas water heaters in my units, regardless of my intentions with the property.

With NPN's, on the other hand, I would be intentionally investing into the situation already knowing that my exit strategy may be to force a family out of their home.That still leaves the door open to the idea of purchasing a NPN at enough of a discount that you can take a haircut on the balance, thereby reducing the mortgage payment to something they can afford, and still make a nice profit.

Has anyone heard of "investors" or builders who would finance a home to flip (with an intent to sell agreement) with a buyer who has a VA approved loan amount? 

if you want to buy and hold without banks, learn seller financing.If you buy on seller financing from a seller, you can give him a note and be creative with the paymentsI write about seller financing so search Brian Gibbons seller financing on BiggerPocketsWhat you have a seller, write up a letter of intent to purchase on seller financing with the terms, and bring that to your attorneyIf you're buying on sorry financing and then renting it out and holding it, Dodd Frank doesn't apply

Also, if you're intention is so strong on getting out of debt, either you will make it happen, or you'll keep making excuses.

I know, because I had to pay out of state tuition when I moved here.Some schools will ask you for employment documents or tax records, copies of your drivers license etc that show your intent to become an SC resident.hope that helps !

Never intended to flip Intention of being a buy and hold investor but everything is for sale at right price.