Backup plan was to retain as rental while paying down note and long play on appreciation, hedging against inflation.

You could use a land contract or wrap with said owner occupant and retain more control over the situation and likely get a higher down payment and monthly payment.

Just so you know on my newest purchase I am looking for renovation money as well as financing and the bank is looking for formal quotes as to the materials needed and the amount/cost of the labor that will be involved.

I plan to build versus buy because Im currently working for my father, who is a general contractor in Fl, and will save on the construction costs because I can do most of the work for little cost other than materials. it would be minimum labor cost and no profit cost from contractor.

Very old, so to rebuild with exact materials exceeded the maximum on the original residential policy I had in place with Andover after their inspection. 

I feel you need to get by the work you have put in plus your value added material and expertise.

One began selling custom flip flops, (bought their own material with money saved), Another who was always encouraged with a camera, attempted to take pics for young people proms, birthdays etc.Then they helped me with a former biz of cleaning up HUD properties during the housing crisis on early 2000’s.Next, but not all of the details for sake of my response.

In this case he wasn't willing to do what was needed to get and retain a ranking for the long-term. 

Composite materials are another option; they’re durable and low-maintenance, but they cost more initially.

We used the insurance company's preferred vendor for the smoke remediation… but we ‘made out like bandits’ on the painting / fixture replacement because they were wrote up  like $8,000 for the work and it probably took us 20 hours of work and $750 in materials to put things back together.