Many banks do not run municipal searches and therefore can still finance the deal despite missing COs and no permits.Whether a buyer/borrower would take on the property this way is a different story.

Being an agent really helps investing and building your own portfolio.

Has anyone performed a Rent to Purchase financing with their buyer, as opposed to seller-financing where a deed of trust and a promissory note is issued to the buyer? 

In this NAR lawsuit, the proposed settlement does something that needs to happen...it makes buyer's agents (known as selling agents) get a buyer's agreement in place.

Buyers regret (or getting under contract regret) is not uncommon.

That said, through conversations with brokers in the area (and evidenced in the comps I’ve created) I’ve learned that this strategy may be slightly outdated as most properties are currently at market rents given the current rental environment, expenses aren’t a realistic lever to rely on to add value, and there is a real risk I get priced out of the market by buyers with cash, 1031 exchanges, and with longer term hold strategies willing to pay an extra $10-20k per key.

Both the seller and buyer pay for closing costs, but they are different depending each side.

I recommend working with an investor-friendly agent to help you figure out the market first before analyzing any deals.

And if that wasn't bad enough then I paid a leasing agent to find a quality tenant, and of course this tenant paid only once, in Sept. 

As an investor and agent here in Columbus Ohio, if you have any questions or want to connect, definitely reach out!