The rent he pays is $900 but with the garage, altogether it is $1,125

Granite counters, new appliances, big flat screen TV, fast internet, themed kids bedrooms with XBox/Playstation etc.

Would anyone be able to provide some steps as to how I could swing an owner financed deal for say 6 months to even possibly a year max, I takeover the property in every way in the name of an LLC and leave the owner as a lien holder while paying him a flat fee until I am able to fully purchase the house.Any assistance or steps to take is greatly appreciated, thank you!

Why not create a consulting service to apartment owners and operators where for a flat fee you inspect their properties to identify opportunities to reduce safety hazards; improve emergency response; reduce fire risks/improve fire suppression; suggest actions/improvements that would reduce their insurance premiums, etc.  

As for the deck that would be a flat no with the explanation that you have plans to do it in the future.

@Kirky Galt we talked it over and we looking for a SFH which we intend on getting a permit to convert the garage (which is not connected) into a 1br/1ba or a granny flat in the backyardor side.

One street is desolate the other street has well maintained single family homes and 2 flats.

Especially because this time around we're considering both rentals and flips and the latter is definitely a very different beast altogether.

My current 4-flat cashflows about $800 a month and is currently on a 5-yr commercial balloon.

But if the property is more rural, and the land is fairly flat and your contractor is very knowledgeable,  you might be able to save a couple of bucks by getting one of the architects out of the area.