I also have ideas of building a town home or rental community but there is a lot of work needed with talking to the city, environmental study, financing, low income vs not, etc. 

With that being said, I want to give him an offer that wouldn't be too low because time isn't necessarily of an essence to him, but if i can give him a price that can compete with the leverage of having a cash offer.

Someone who is 60 and is married for 40 years, but still doesn't have a car and has to rent a low-rent unit, AND share a unit with other people (and they were the ones who got evicted, so the story goes) probably doesn't have a very good set of skills when it comes to managing money (or life, for that matter).

Very much appreciated for your responses that shed light on my way forward with this issue. 

The liability is too many "sticks," all the balusters that create a very cluttered look, as well as obstructing half of the lower story windows.So first, let's replace all those sticks with a material that is less visually obtrusive, emulates the architecture, is far more updated and hip, and affordable.https://youtu.be/SPKgdEqnR3QYou could also do a slightly more designed baluster at the second-floor front-facing landings to celebrate those entries and add interest.Wrap approx. the bottom third (or 36" to the railing) of the second-floor posts with 1x to give them more visual weight, and create a very simple capital at the top.At the very base of the stairs (ground level), create two simple but very LARGE newel posts, and if at ALL possible, cap each with a very clean-lined light fixture.

When i call back later, when im available, i always apologize and say i was doing a walk through or looking at another property lol @Nzinga Augustoi personally wouldnt do #1 or #2 for a couple reasons, Lets say you get a call at 830 Am and the VA sends you the info......you cant call until after 5 anyway.......same thing your voicemail would do...........also, i would keep your costs low until youre getting consistent deals.......just my opinion. 

Which is better if you want to use the low down payment method potentially repeatedly?

But, that sounds a high-risk low-reward behaviour.

I’m not an expert of the area by any means however I looked at several properties in the area and the two big takeaways for me we’re 1. the rents-to-purchase ratio are fairly low and 2. you’ll likely be dealing with large, older families.

Lenders are saying our income is too low.