I’m sure most will score me an F since I hinted I didn’t want to use a lawyer.

Both ideas have a hint of validity, corner it, focus your thoughts on what you what, create a niche and believe in yourself and soon you will have the magic potion. 

The seller's alternative in this case is to wait for an all cash buyer - or provide financing himself.Third scenario is the seller who wants to get a higher price - higher than market - and uses seller financing to attract buyers who can not obtain financing from outside sources - and who are willing to pay a higher price for a property with "built in' financing.As a purchaser, you should be looking for either (1) the highly motivated seller, (2) a property that can not be financed except by the seller - IF you can fix the problem (hint: a property next to a nuclear power plant is probably NOT a fixable problem!)

When we looked at it prior to buying there was no hint of smell.

Hint: You never win!  

My wife, me, and every prospect has detected them like a 2x4 between the eyes.They smell like dirty laundry, maybe...possibly a hint of urine, but mostly like unwashed socks, underwear and armpit smell, I can go on and on ... 

I tried putting in a plugin freshener but the vinyl smell is competing with the freshener now.If I had to describe the smell it would be fresh cotton with a hint of burnt plastic and a dash of grade school eraser.

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/p-j-gladnick/2008/10/08/james-carville-hints-riots-if-obama-loses

At times its the renters telling their friends they can use your dumpsters If you catch them in the act and do alittle roasting with a flamethrower they may get the hint!

The agent suggested I contact him after I've been pre-approved, hinting that I'm not serious enough.