@j medhirst then commercial property is not in the cards for me here.

Even if you have to use a higher-interest Home Depot type credit card, getting it installed and the units rented out would be preferable to the units sitting vacant. 

So far, the cards have come up in your favor. 

Do you have a car loan, credit cards?

Also, my wife and I do not have any debt other than minor credit card debt.

With that said I'd send him the Notice of Payment Due with your attorney's business card stapled to it and instructions for mailing the check.

The last thing needed is the inability to afford a new water heater and have the tenants not pay becuase you cannot provide hot water.If you play your cards right, you can easily be on the right track towards your real estate goals.

If you'r a U.S. citizen/green card holder things can be easier, particularly with funding (actually, i'd dare say maybe only in view of funding).

Besides, she says she has a medical card for it.My worry isn’t that she uses it.

Financing for non-US citizens/green card holders is a hit and miss.