The county we file in specifies how the lien release should look (margin size usually).

We also use only large flat sheets and tuck the bottom sheet (that therefore can fit any size bed) so instead of full fitted/full flat/queen fitted/queen flat/king fitted/king flat we just have one sheet to deal with.  

To avoid a large DP with traditional financing, would hard money be my best bet to get started? 

They have a whole line of options, just depends on what size home you need.  

I think a first deal going with a lower risk to learn the ropes is maybe the best bet.

Will be a good size contingency coming down with @Al Williamson .

I would use a reliable 3rd party property inspector for this which will cost you about $200 - $400 based on the size property.Before doing that, definitely have a local realtor that's representing you look into it.  

What size MF are talking about.  

If you're looking for long-term rentals, your best bet is to hit some areas more towards the southern part of the state. 

There is normally some sort of 'discount' offered to the buyer of a package deal, but the size of that discount will tend to depend on how badly the seller just wanted them off their hands as well as how interested the buyer was in buying both to begin with.