I am looking for something between 20-50 units preferably, but nothing larger than 100 unit. 

However if they would prefer cash that's not an issue, just get a receipt from them to cover yourself if the IRS was to come knocking on your door. 

I think I would prefer to rent it out or borrow against the equity and continue living in it for now.  

There are plenty of listing brokers out there but would prefer to deal with a buyer's broker who has extensive experience dealing with investors and who is well dialed in to the local market and can be a potential source of new deals.

Thus, many investors prefer not to purchase properties with HOAs.Do a search on BP for HOA and you will find many discussions on the pros/cons.

I would prefer @Scott Barker that everyone who signs up for BP has to add a head shot.  

Then I'd likely try to live in the MIL but rent out the rest of the house (rent out 80% of the house in effect).Here's my question:My client would prefer to give me a lodging reimbursement or stipend regardless  (e.g., $1000/month), even if I was staying in a place I owned, as that scenario is much cheaper for them than reimbursing my hotels.  

We are trying to find an investor focused agent (preferably an investor themselves) that is familiar with the greater Bethlehem area.

There are also still some neighborhoods in Southeast, further out, that will also come in within your budget.I personally prefer the West Side, but either way, you'll love living in the Greater Portland Area.Good Luck

We use separate contracts - with no financing or incentive ties between them - but I read a thread on BP last week where a snippet of the regulation from NC was posted and it appears they prefer a single contract there.Either way, a 40K option fee on a 94K property is way too much and would be considered predatory just about anywhere.