Title spoke with seller and seller happily signed the release.

Based on my experience managing a significant number of rentals, leasing back to a seller can work, but it’s essential to approach it carefully.Lease Start Date:The lease should be signed at closing and start on the same day—Monday in your case.

There's a few different ways to focus on a lower rate such as with house hacking and making the investment your primary residence, requesting a significant closing credit from the sellers for standard rate buy-downs (which I've had great success with recently), or utilizing lenders who offer short term rate lowering solutions such as 2-1 rate buy downs (again, ideally paid for by the sellers).

Since I'm taking such a cash hit, I asked the sellers agent if they would be able to designate some portion of the sale price ($200k?)

Quote from @Preston Dean: Quote from @Michael Ewers: Quote from @Preston Dean: Hi @Michael EwersI have had a few past clients from Cali call me saying "I sent post cards to home sellers and I have someone who wants to sell, can you help me with pictures and videos" I think their method was just mass mail and they got a few hits.

Seller financed deals.

First of all it's very rare a seller gets a buyer's EMD deposit for buyer's financing falling thru.

I’ve had to widen my search radius to smaller suburbs or target properties needing light cosmetic work to make the numbers work.Value-add opportunities: Adding amenities tenants love, like finished basements or upgraded kitchens, seems to justify rent premiums in this market.Navigating the competition:Be creative with financing: Seller financing or partnering with other investors has been helpful to secure deals when conventional offers didn’t cut it.Work with local agents and wholesalers: They often have their finger on the pulse of off-market opportunities, which is critical in a hot market.For those new to suburban Chicago investing, I’d say the key is finding the “sweet spot” neighborhoods—ones on the rise but not yet maxed out in price.

Most sellers that are open to selling you a deal off-market are just like I was with my rentals: the way to motivate them to sell is to give them a price HIGHER than they think they can get on the market.  

Sale Price$171,000 - $55,000 (Rehab) - $13,680 (8% fees) - $40,000 (profit) = $62,320 MAOFrom talking to other investors and doing research, typically a Novation allow more money to the seller, correct?