I'm searching for ideas on ways to buy more properties by coming up with lower down payments faster or dealing with alternate financing methods.

Good question.I am exploring manufactured homes (mobile homes) for their potential.

Oh, and the fines --  not good.Sounds like you are mixing with too many competitors.Go underground, deal with only sellers who need to sell.Increase your margins of profits.Tax sale poaching...... a method to find the equities.  

The methods described above are ways to obtain the funds that you invested into the property in order to get it ready for sale, but they also create debt and are not truly paying you back. 

As I would like to make her happy, I want to explore strategies for making that financially viable some day in the future.

I'm looking to meet people in the area that are in this business network with and who are open to bounce ideas off of.Additionally I'm looking for methods and guidance from others on how I can locate "quality" rental properties without paying retail rates.  

Also, what methods are you using to finding off market deals?

Use the IRV method...

Anybody is welcome, we're just hoping to expand the local network and explore interest in recurring sessions.  

Hey @Shawn Smith @Brandon TurnerThe BRRRR method is IRA friendly but only for the benefit of the IRA and only with your indirect involvement (decision making only).