Many municipalities have restrictions on the number of occupants permitted per bedroom, sometimes varying depending on the size of the bedroom(s).

A 2 year investigation, I bet his son won't have dad home until he's at least 9!

Stay closer to fishtown if you want faster gentrification and better bet.

They need to sell.Here's the challenge I bet you'll face. 

But I'm thinking pretty seriously about trying realty on for size before I drop $40k to do that. 

Your best bet if the relo company allows it is to provide a referral to their buyers' agent.If you focus on serving your clients better than anyone else, and not worrying about helping yourself, you'll be better off long term.

As for creative contracts, I am probably not your best bet for that advice. 

You could search for the type of properties you would want, price point, size, owner current debt, etc, etc, and the system will find properties that will likely make a deal.

Duplex and quads are the best bet because in the case of vacancies with a unit, the other unit will cover expenses.

Now take a similar size house in Rockville that is worth $500k.