Other than figuring out some creative financing whats my next step?

But started buying junk properties for under $10,000 using all the creative formulas I could think of (credit cards, commercial over draft protection, credit lines, partners, lots of Subject to Existing Mortgages, delayed settlement, flips and seller/contractor partnering). 

I have no interest in wholesaling, but I would think you need to be prepared to personally close the deal yourself if you cant get a buyer.

Also, thank you so much for the "Creative" elements you described (incorporating fees, financing them, etc).

Real estate investing has SO many creative options to use to build wealth.

Be prepared for him to hold over (as he said he would) and map out what your next move will be if that is the case.

Home owner said "No " of CourseSo my own creativity kicked in,  Offer the same 175k, however up the ante with 2k more to help seller move  who's going through a "Divorce", and assigned the contract to me. 

I would have pushed creative deals to buy without cash, to help grow faster, and I would have used 1031 transfers to grow even faster instead of selling and then buying more properties.

If I decide to go into real estate investing immediately after college, rather then getting a job with a salary, I'll probably be forced to invest creatively in the beginning.

But, if there is a possibility of a short fall....HOA/other debts that can't be negotiated out with the bank ( the lender will only contribute a set %) you need to be prepared to pony up some extra money above and beyond the purchase price.