that may run you $10,000 depending on how deep it has to be, the window well and if ladders need to be installed. as far as bracing the foundation, that depends on what the engineer comes up with to " anchor" it.

I've only got $2000 in my down payment savings currently so I want to dig deep into creative financing I could work with him on. 

If they're going to sell the property, then your target client is more a slow flipper than a buy-and-holder.

My advice even though you didn't ask, is to start off slow and make sure real estate investing is something that you're going to enjoy, be good at, make money at and have a true desire to be apart of.

Besides this the home will need  a total of eight (8) new exterior windows, deep cleaning, paint, new overhead fans and light fixtures. 

If you want to be serious about investing having debt and living beyond your means is going to slow you down.

I have been slowly saving my cashflow and using that to make downpayments on each new purchase.. it's slow and steady, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I feel like I am leaving money on the table and not maximizing my potential. 

While dealing with the housing authority is a slow and bureaucratic process, my experience with the tenants themselves has been pleasant so far. 

It cost to much now of days to transfer, and it's slow as mud.

Being a novice, would you suggest starting slow with a single-family and adding to that over the years?