Equity Building:As you pay down your mortgage using rental income, you're simultaneously building equity in the property.

We will sell some of the lessor houses in the future and pay off some others.  

My understanding is that we'd pay $1,000 for a rent appraisal which would have to come in with a ratio of at least 1.0 (i.e. at least as much rent as PITI) for the loan to be approved.My concern is that 730sf is basement, and only 300sf of that is fully finished. the rest is just walls.

The buyer will agree to pay some monthly amount higher than the market rent, to offset the cost of the property when the purchase happens.

Most inquiring about the availability of the unit or saying something to the tune of "i can pay with a company check", to which I give a smart response, then report as scam.

I'd also add, you need to be sure they can pay and have some savings put away.

I did pay the mortgage.

@Carlo D.Paperstac@Brett Burky did not even have to pay me to say this

Present it to them as a return on their money deal - “I’ll pay you 8% on your money while I’m borrowing it”  or whatever, and  pay them out of the cash flow on the deal until you can qualify for a refi into your name when you would pay them off.  

Looks like you need to know the process for finding properties that make sense and taking advantage of the tax system.