I would vet some banks to see if it is really as hard as your relative says before you just develop an entirely different strategy.

If you haven't already, check out this related thread:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/82884-is-a-degree-worth-it?

I’m sure many people would argue against the expense of stainless and or hassles of in door water/ice fridges  In maybe a related or possibly unrelated tangent, I haven’t had a vacancy in more than 3 years and the average length is over 5 years spread over 12 SFR Vegas properties. 

But the property itself is too expensive relative to rents.

My first question relates to the relationship between investor and flipper (ie what does a typical agreement look like?).

I'm rambling.Anyone relate to what I'm saying?

Credit non pmts I might let medical or collections if I deem the collection to be non related to housing and utilities.

Have them do the processing or they may allow you to do part of it.From your friendly "no-can-do" BPer who bought his first note in '78, while some others were still in grade school (or a glimmer in their daddy's eye)....if they wouldn't start out being so tacky, they wouldn't be putting up with the related flak

My guess is the owner has this relative that is the tenant, and the tenant is a spendthrift or deadbeat; so the owner is hoping to be relieved of the problem house, and still have housing provided for the deadbeat relative (but this owner no longer wants to be the housing provider).

Since you have relations with this person, that might be the next easiest thing to do to get into the house.