Step One: I pay seller an agreed upon down payment (or do no-money down, if agreeable).Step Two:  Record the promissory note that details arrangement for this seller-assist sale/purchase. 

Things you never thought of you will be contemplating Ex.

This is my first post.I am contemplating turning my renovated historic downtown rowhouse into a mid term (30+ days) rental while I am out of the country for a couple of years.

The city has never had an issue with this arrangement for long term rentals.Being a small town in Missouri, short term rentals are new to them. 

Are there any verbal agreements or arrangements between the current Landlord and Tenant?

Or you can ask him what he would like yall to do with his stuff and he can probably make arrangements himself. 

They act as my trustee and I am very happy with the arrangement.

we did a similar (and legal) arrangement when we rented out our in-law.

Question…should I just have him be my contractor or could we partner on some deals-I put up the money for property and/or repairs then we split some equity in the property or some arrangement or am I making it more complicated than it needs to be.  

I am willing to consider all possibilities to arrange financing.