I will be out of the picture afterwards, but don't want the seller to get burned by a buyer who doesn't make the payments.

And do cosmetic repairs on the rest of the visible gaps.In a previous life I uses to build stone/brick wood burning fireplaces.

It's grandfathered in that you can use them as multi, but if they burn down or are vacant for a period of time, the grandfather clause is wiped out.

Also be careful, land trusts are over promoted as the be all, end all.

@Maura Burns if you're buying very cheap properties like Chris the percentage will be higher.

Burning bridges in REI never helped anyone.

@Michael Sherwood & @Edward Burns , thanks.

They use kerosene and a blow torch to burn off the oil. no scrubbing required.

I have seen many investors promote "cash deals" in their direct marketing pieces.

For example: the house was absolutely filthy, to the point of uninhabitable, dog feces strewn throughout the house, dirty dishes left in the sink, burns in the carpet and vanity and the carpet looked as though it had never been swept and spills had never been wiped up etc.