I do think duplicating a small income is easier than trying to replace a large one unless a reduction in lifestyle is desired which is uncommon.

It's not uncommon, I'm actually helping a client clean up the mess from a very similar, handshake agreement. 

Contacting Owners DirectlyIt’s not uncommon for real estate investors to notice appealing buildings, reach out to owners and make an offer.

And not uncommon to find B+. 

Although $2,000 monthly rents are unlikely, a 0.8% monthly rent-to-price ratio would not be uncommon.

That is not an uncommon scenario.  

It's not uncommon for applicants to be fearful of the process and let's face it most all of us fear rejection.Applicants often don't understand what 3 times really means, what does that mean to you? 

It is not uncommon to not hear much from the agent or only receive your notifications online.

Where I think you are getting confused is the now very uncommon land contract.

(You can search BP for the related posts for more insight.)Basically, I presented my seller 3 different options yesterday: 1) short the second (Nick inspired) and I'll buy on a wrap; 2) modify the second to add a movement clause (uncommon outside of commercial--aka floating mortgage), have the seller to transfer that second lien to another property, and I'll buy the target property on a wrap; and 3) Jason's "'They Pay You' Subject To".Another way to do this--that I didn't suggest to the seller--is: offer to take over the payments and retail it with a lease-option to a buyer with a few dings--but no evictions, foreclosures, or bankruptcies--on his/her credit.