Anyone have some asy forms to just give handymen that say they 1. need their own insurance and pay their own taxes (so I don't have to fill out 1099 or whatever)2. are not your employee but are indy contractors3. cannot sue you for xyz if they get hurt etcSomething that would at least establish them as non-employees from get-go????

Would it be better to go with non-friends as you select your power team?  

@Tua Toiaivao It is uncommon for an agent to receive an offer from a non-agent.

With verbal leases, a tenant could claim they are on a rent-to-own arrangement, or that their "handshake" included a "no overnight guests from racial group x" fair housing violation.

Is there a market for vacation rental homes without a pool and non waterfront?

If you don't plan to live there, you'd need to put 25% down on investment/non-owner occupied. 

Unfortunately, we've been self-employed in a non-real estate industry for a LONG time now and we couldn't document our income in a way that was sufficient for our lender - so we did a cash deal instead.I thought the equity in that property and in the home we own outright (about $256,000 in total equity) would be enough to reset the conversation for our next deal, but our lender says existing equity will always be overshadowed in our situation by documented income (or lack thereof.)  

They have verbally agreed to sell me the home subject to with me taking over the mortgage payments of 1155 as well as $20,000 down at closing. 

She can practice traditional and non-traditional medicine. 

You will qualify immediately after being qualified for a loan to offsetting dept to income ratio.Although, you might find managing a non sophisticated tenant is a huge stress on your main squeeze.