Wanted to see what anyone else's thoughts are but let's say I found a broken down house, contacted the owner, and got my offer accepted. 1) Where do I get a legitimate contract to give to him with inspection and financing contingency. 

When attaining conventional financing, do we both have to be on the loan?

THEN your cost of financing (principal and interest) comes out of LL profits. 

I am looking options on who can finance with a construction loan, as well as any advice on how to project soft costs, hard costs, and other miscellaneous fees. 

My main hurdle right now is securing financing as I am OOS and do not know my options for who can offer a new construction loan.

They finance 100% as well?

If your landlord is retiring, he probably doesn't need the cash right away so perhaps, he might be willing to finance part of it too.

In this case would a HELOC plus liquid assets be the best way to finance the 20% down that will be required for a traditional loan, or does anyone have any other strategies they have used in the past.Any and all pointers would be greatly appreciated!! 

Can you perform a Subject to owner financing or "Subject to" on a USDA financed house?

He got stuck when banks stopped financing, and he lost 44 million dollars worth of real estate.