To address this, we agreed that I would work in the business for six months to verify the financials, which so far align with his POS system.My main issue is that at 23, I don't have strong financials to get a conventional loan at 75% LTV with a ~7% rate, and the seller's lack of financials complicates bank approval.

Has anyone done business with CLick invest? 

Ernest,Besides all the real estate/property/transactional tips above; you need to understand that running a short term rental is running a business. 

Many HELOC or second mortgages are fixed interest rates and depending on the loan amount, even offer 100% online and no appraisal requirement for issuance.

TAX CERTS are a bizzness not something you do as a passive investor or someone like me who is busy with their core business.. thankfully it was only 30k 

Once 6-12 months have passed, depending upon the loan program, you should be able to refinance it to bleed some of the "instant equity" out.

I've found many excellent wholesalers I do business this way.Another approach...just Google "sell my house" in your area and there will be at least 3-4 paid ads, and dozens more unpaid that will pop up.

When you get them on the phone setup a time to do a zoom call, see how they do business, who the connections are they have, and if you get to know them through those conversations and feel good go meet them in person.

Frankly, I would be surprised if a real estate agency would want to hold rent properties in the same entity as their brokerage business.

Currently, I am planning to build single-family homes on those lots.Keep this business simple and focused on your niche.