Additionally, if you are looking for guidance when it comes to REI, I am your guy, you can PM me any questions that you have, I would love to help you out.

Then I was able to convinced the seller to reduce the purchase price to $300K (33% less). 

Look at ways to reduce your living expenses... doesn't sound cool as investing but you're investing in yourself with college.

We put all occupants of legal age on the lease for the reason of additional parties to encumber if needed.

IE sorry the deal didnt go through, heres a little something to help defray your additional holding costs. 

If your biggest thing is safety, I'd talk with the neighbors, and tell them you'd like to build additional safety measures and improvements on the portion that's your land.      

@Mike Cumbie Based on a conversation we have had the interest is there I just need to give some additional motivation for selling, which may be just a matter of using the right kind of financing, which is the step I am currently at.

The difference between the appraisal and the listing is 1,200 additional sq ft.The house is priced at a multiple that makes sense for the original square footage listed given the area, but applying that same multiple (or even a decent bit lower) to the appraiser's higher estimated size would get a significantly higher value.Could a buyer be sitting on a windfall that the seller missed?

There are also additional state fees that run into the hundreds of dollars in Connecticut just for having an LLC filed.

Check homewyse as well if you dig ballpark website.Jamarr Lee You have the option to set your budget like what Will said, then reduce the scope when it is crunch time.