Then I'd be using borrowed money to pay down debt I could not afford with no cashflow from a rental. 

This would really help first time borrowers. 

I warn that borrowing against equity - typically earned by chance and not investment savvy - is too risky.

Hi,An individual came to me recently looking to borrow $500 and he has a free and clear mobile home.

Loan is NOT in our name but in the name of the original borrowers. 

If the later is the case, unless your contract with that buyer had specific performance language in it, there is nothing you can do.As to the advice above about potentially clouding title, you are now entering the legal realm and you should NOT be taking legal advice from anyone other than your attorney as clouding title in THIS case can swing back at you from the original sellers for not performing and claiming damages against you.If you intend to wholesale, you need to do it legally and ethically and in many states, that requires either a license, closing on it with your funds or borrowed funds, then marketing for resale once you have title, or having your buyer upfront, forming a legal entity with both you and buyer as owners.

Same if you want closing/borrowing cost help. 

As for lending, that too is typically done through contract in the form of a promissory note and personal guarantee (if you’re borrowing from a Company).

Due to the loan amounts and fico and the added foreign national borrower.

Here are a few tips to help you:- Market Research: Study the local hard money lending market to understand competition, typical loan terms, and borrower expectations.- Loan Structure: Define your lending criteria clearly—interest rates, LTV ratios, fees, and terms.