I have to think creative, way outside the box.

Until you near the 1M point, depending on your status, there are many ways to reduce headaches without having a trust or two....In fact, a friend had to redo two revocable trusts due to a divorce, she ended up using a creatively structured LLC as a subsitute and her estate, over 3M after the divorce, is pretty well set for her.

I would stay away from this type of creative finance.

Anywho.....any ideas on some creative ways to get a down payment?  

depends on the demographics.If its a retirement neighborhood, lots of elderly people some may find it a tripping hazard or a pain for walkers, wheel chairs etc...Down here in south Florida many older folks would not buy two story homes because of having to trek up and down, and we have lots of older folks.Sometimes the elevation difference can be partially minimized visually by using creative threshold transition pieces.

From there you can raise the funds through a partnership; think creative.

Keela,I admire your creative thinking, and there is always alternatives.

Sounds like you have "leads" or "suspects", that is, if you're a Realtor, doing conventional or even mildly creative transactions.First question, what's you goal, how much do you need to make in this?

I have a commercial property owned by one LLC & rented out space to my other 'management' LLC at a nominal rate.The IRS auditor didn't agree..but they did allow me to take a full office deduction with a pro rata treatment of expenses etc.The latter proved to be a much better (creative) deduction.

I just heard Duncan speak at CCIA( Chicago Creative Investing Association) this evening.