Usually either a short term loan with goal of owning free and clear in 4-6 years (no cash flow, let the renters earn you a free and clear house quick) or a 20 year term allowing double digit cash on cash returns.

This would lower the required down payment into the range of 3 - 10%.

Or maybe use OPM for the down payment only?

The memorandum (some use a letter of intent) approach is considered a "soft lease option" because the memorandum is generally a non-exclusive agreement that gives the seller the ability to walk away at any time if they choose to do so (even once you've spent all your time and energy finding a buyer and the seller decides to walk away at the last minute), but also gives you the ability to gain an assignable interest via the memorandum in a way that feels less scary to a seller (and generally you can structure the terms of the memorandum to have the rental payments begin the moment you assign, so you don't have to make payments while you're trying to find someone to assign to).You can also gain an assignable interest through a "hard lease option" that is exclusive between you and the seller, and will usually require you to start making payments at a specified date.

I'm relatively new to the BP community and this is my first post.I have a multi family investment property that has built up a lot of equity (over $500k) and I would like to use that equity to help me acquire another ...

I am thinking of doing a self directed IRA to pay for the down payment and doing a non-recourse loan for the remainder.  

I was thinking of using an FHA loan with a THDA assistance program for the down payment. 

.- I have to work under a broker for 2 years before I can apply for my brokers license in state of FL- I have to split my commission profit with broker and all funds/payments must be made out directly to the broker- the percentage commission I negotiate with property owners is my decisionDetermine best path to form Vacation Rental Property Management company being aware of my new status a sales associate- can I start my own business entity to establish and brand my VR management company now, or would/should I just wait the 2 years, get brokers license and then do so.

As buy and holds tho, still requiring a substantial down payment, it would cost me too much in the short term.

Or make payments directly to them?