No one looking to buy wants the business, they want the property which can and will be used to build an apt complex of at least 50 apts (on the conservative side)  and possible +100, which we've been told by the board is very likely since they want to build the area up.Does anyone have any experience in building a complex like that from scratch, i want to get into real estate and me (his son) this could be a huge step in the right direction, we have some investors we can sit down and talk with in the near future.

I'm highly committed, but I feel as if I lack direction.

On the contrary I spoke with an experienced General Contractor who said permitting shouldn't be that difficult, however I don't have any direct experience with permitting yet!

I have had preliminary discussions with the owner (he is 75, property is owned free and clear, has no direct heirs) but have not submitted an offer yet.

For the actual payed background and credit, I use mysmartmove which charges the tenant directly.

Personally I'm not sure that I would ever do it on my own residence, but it doesn't seem like a bad solution for rental properties where every penny is being pinched as @Mark Fries suggested. 

Every door direct mail is absolutely your best bang for your buck. 

I have been unsuccessful finding local direct lenders.  

It worked as planned, but need to have a firm understanding of what the bank will and won't give you, what rules they have, and ten live at the mercy of their appraisal.I'm always happy to discuss the area, so if if you have any specific questions, just let me know or feel free to send me a message directly. 

Direct him/her to use more synonyms, as opposed to more excuses.