I am trying to protect my private home as well as separate rental income from my personal income to benefit from business tax deductions.  

Talk to your HR/benefits coordinator on 401k loan process.

Add tax benefits, reinvestment opportunities. 

These investment will require some major work, but I have found them to be stellar cash-flowing investments - even better than some of my out-of-state investments, with the added benefit that my tenant base gives me little trouble.

Now, if you are in a very competitive market, I can see the benefit of reaching out to the listing agent directly. but still, as a first time home buyer, you should get an agent.

It was basically a "point the finger at other tenants for high usage each and every month" To their benefit in many ways I agreed with them as I wouldn't want to pay for other people who weren't responsible for water usage.

I use this website called Niche to get an idea on the area by zip codes.

The municipal code, fire marshall also may have a say in it but 60-70 feet should be more than ample.How'd you come up with that width? 

But at least you can know what you are getting into.As @Brian Adzadi pointed out, you want to make sure it is up to code, any renovations were properly permitted and professionally done, and that there are no violations that can surprise you down the road.

I suppose I could borrow those funds from a family member and then pay them back with the owner-financing proceeds over the next year, but then I lose the benefit of owner-financing (i.e. the interest).Not sure the buyer can wait until my listing agreement expires, as their lease expires in May, a month before my agreement.