@Grant Richmond your situation is a symptom of another issue: you have not mastered yourself and your finances yet.

Granted, some people do it, but what I've found is a lot of these young retirees basically end up doing the same thing non-retirees do: they volunteer a lot of time (i.e. work for free), or start a business, or do something else to fill in the time-gap.I get it: FIRE is a popular concept right now, but aside from it being the latest buzz-phrase....what does it have to offer you that a rewarding, fulfilling career and/or starting your own biz wouldn't offer?

There is no prohibition that I am aware of in granting finder's fees for an off-market transaction where all parties do not have a real estate license.

I do not know where to start regarding possible grants or programs available.

Granted, many BP members may balk at this post. 

I know grant cArdone had mentioned nothing less than a 32 unit building, not sure if there is any reasoning behind that.

The down payment is not a deposit and it a fee for granting the option to buy.

Extensive exterior rehab including painting, new windows, gutters and roof repairs, and I took advantage of a city grant to remove the grass and install xeroscape landscape to reduce water consumption.

I have broken a few: I buy pretty much every time without an inspection (granted they are 20kish sfr); I’ve kept at times basically zero reserves; I’ve touched the forbidden 401k; I not only buy distressed properties but I sometimes buy in distressed areas; and...

Other activities could potentially include traditional camping, glamping, non-traditional camping (i.e. allowing campers to camp with dogs off-leash), allowing dog clubs to meet on the property for competitions for a fee, hunting, building a tiny house community, build a solar or wind farm, drive-in movie theater, paintball course, etc.Depending on the landscape, someone might be interested in leasing the land for raising livestock, doing a livestock show, performing environmental research for state/federal grants, etc.