In return, I gave him a total of $1200 in discounts on rent.

I think if you combined a private lender for some of the down payment and you borrowed the rest from the bank it could work, buy you definitely need to buy at a discount.

It's a VA loan deeply discounted by bank with asking price btwn $80-85k.

@Ray Loveless obviously this guy is a discount, shade-tree unlicensed painter so many of these suggestions aren’t realistic.

I realize there is a discount when selling these things, but is there any chance of actually getting a half way decent price?

Un-retired and building a discounted paper business which includes medical loans and 2nds. 

Reno loans represent a favor being done, 4x as much work for the same pay check is the same as working for 25% of one's normal rate of pay, that's already a pretty damn steep discount.

Lastly, pro tip: if you get enough flooring, you can go to the pro desk (or the guy/gal in flooring) at Home Depot and try to negotiate a discount - especially if you're buying enough that they have to place an order.

., less than $10,000)You got to have at least 10% equity or discount to market value.

They don't like taking a discount because they don't have to.