It is NOT part of any down payment, and should not be applied to any down payment.Lease Purchase:  Same as Lease Option with one very important difference.a-  Lease Agreement is same as aboveb-  Purchase Agreement is the subtle difference. 

As Sam Zell mentions in his book “Am I Being Too Subtle” not to avoid risk, but manage risk, and know the downside.

We do have a property for any flavor here in westchester but given your variables they may need to be looked at on a case by case basis, but that’s no trouble. 

I like the subtle approach that you used but have some questions:Did you indicate the rent amount?

It's the flavor of the experience!

If you’ve ever stayed at one you’ll know that scent from the moment you walk in the door: nor overpowering, just subtle enough to trigger familiarity.

I am thinking I would try to use some flavor of seller financing but unsure how to structure the deal. 

I think there have been a few different flavors of responses here, which if you add them all up, it would give you some sense of direction.

I'm interested in buy and hold rental properties and the site has already opened my eyes to some different flavors of this.

SOOO, I am recovering from not paying attention to cash flow and taking out too much equity years ago, but it will take a few more  years.I may opt to buy rental properties of a different flavor down there in the FWB area.