But in experience, I've had a number of folks who ALWAYS pay their rent on time as top-priority and as a huge percentage of their monthly income, but can't save up enough for the deposit when they need to move to cover the deposit (lets be real, many of these folks wait until the last minute to plan their move).Thoughts? 

It may be a sign of inexperience and it also may be a sign of getting money where they can.

I have reservations about this structure, but it may come from inexperience with l/o format.

If so and you are trying to create business many sellers will not work with you due to inexperience so many agents start with buyers first.

BAD because it can take some time to get your first deal.Even if those mailers got you 10 motivated sellers, your inexperience alone might make you lose half of them by not knowing how to structure them, and blow the other half just due to plain ol' being green.

I don't think the part about commission is really important or needed.The problem with the owner finance deals Nick is that inexperience creates a ton of risk for the seller.

Key is don't let greed and inexperience get in your way.

No shame in experimenting and seeing what works best for you :)

their business model is geared for the rookie but the money you spend paying them combined with your inexperience can make profits slim in a tight market.check out Investors Mortgage Lending, their sister company for some interesting hard money programs.

Biting off a multi family as your first can certainly be done, depends on how big and the cure for your inexperience is having a PM at least early on in the ownership, that can put you in as a passive investor too.If you take on debt personally it will be on your personal report.