BiggerPockets

There is a grouping of 6-plex buildings for sale...a total of 12 for a total asking price of $3.2 million. This would give me a total of 72 units. The problem is that 1/4 of the buildings are vacant. The tax assessor's office,has these buildings recorded as separate properties and therefore, legally I would have to purchase each building as separate entities. The owner knows this and doesn't want me to take only the occupied properties while leaving him holding the bag on the vacant buildings. He is willing to offer partial owner financing (up to 60%). Can this deal work? If so, how?

Assuming the numbers make sense, having vacant units that you believe you can rent is actually a good thing. You should try to negotiate the price based on current rents and you will then have upside potential once you rent all the units.

Of course, you need to figure out why the vacancy is that high and whether you will be able to solve whatever problem there is.

12 units for 3.2 million?? does each apartment rent for 1,000??

As other's have posted, we need more information. If the units rent for $400 or $750 means the price can be 1/2 of what is being asked. How old are they? What type of tenants, ie. Section 8, college students, working class, etc...?
Who pays what utilities? What are the expenses including property taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc...? Can we get a little more information?

Also, what terms is the Owner Financing offering? If he is offering 3%, it makes a big difference than if he is offering 6%.