You could utilize the BRRRRR strategy on that same project or others.  

I'm going to do the owner financing route and utilize a realtor for showing it.

I am looking at sourcing different rebate programs or other for apartment communities.We have owners from out of state that are seeing significant appliance rebates for toilets, energy star rates appliances etc. in CA...

Tenants pay all utilities except water/sewer.

Will the tenant be responsible for utilities @Dan Leyden?

Oooook, so let's see if we can do that AND hack your FICO score at the same time:Remember that credit utilization ratio is a FICO score factor, and it's recalculated every month or so.

The tenants pay their own utilities, garbage and water.

I am slowly getting comfortable with pulling the trigger soon but would like to know of quality/trustworthy agents, mortgage brokers, and property managers in the area that I could utilize since I am not physically in the area.

Again the above was my view, because that's how I utilize Plus.  

This way, they will end up with a higher return than if they sold as-is, and we save significantly on loan costs usually associated with flips.The only thing they incur is holding the house for another 8 months and paying what they are already paying for prop taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.