I understand the 5k thing. A good technique, to also think off is to find one that isnt decent but is restorable and resellable.Trailerable outboards are usually easiest to retore and resell, if the sell price is below the "gotta go to the bank to finance it" range.I have seen many cases where all the boat needs is a good powerwashing and cleaning up...if the engine is not seized.
Over the years, I have successfully unseized 2 inboards and one outboard,so even that is not necessarily a show stopper