Seller finance deals rarely close and are generally a waste of time. 

We started the journey last year Sept 2023.The deal closed mid November, after a 2 months journey to find the perfect property (price/Cash Flow/appreciate) and closed on it.Made her aware the holidays isn't the time for renters to move, however, once W2 taxes were issued in January 2024 she would get a tenant.She is officially a landlord!

If not - you are bringing cash to closing just to get out of the loans you already have.

Depending on the loan product used - to purchase a non owner occupied investment property you will need a 15-20% down payment plus closing costs.

I have heard that most cabins are failing inspection, but it is for easily fixable items like no exit map on each level or the charcoal grill being too close to the house etc.

I can send you a pamphlet on team building, which I think is crucial to your timeline to close (in the sense of a lender) and for your rehab timeline.

If you're getting it as a job, can you close a deal or two before you leave California?

The note itself can be documented close to the same as any other holdback, I would venture in saying legal council would be better resources to help draft this than a QI. 

So my family and I had to clean out the basement and garage before closing.

You can do a HELOC or a closed end second, but the rates on both will be higher than a refi.