That's good for my credit profile and supports a healthy score.

You have zero control over the stock market, whereas when you do private lending, you have significantly higher control and contractually guaranteed return on your money.

Your time is worth money, it's time that guests aren't renting your house. 

Could these waits be mitigated by going the hard/private money route?

Unless you're in a Class A Neighborhood like Palmer Woods, Indian Village, Sherwood, etc,. the additional rent probably won't support the cost to build:(More profitable to take the build funds and buy another property.DM us if you'd like to discuss more...

You'll still have plenty of money to do a duplex/quadplex and give you breathing room (what would you do if you needed a large repair on the rental?).

They marked it down as a "claim," even though the delivery guy never filed suit, asked for money, or sent a demand letter. 

Many Realtors will suggest purchasing a property using a FHA Loan, to reduce your out of pocket money.

I also don’t have a problem spending the money to fight for this.

I would rather do this and retain my money then give it to the bank as interest.