Now there should be a time limit for them to give your 1st month rent before they get the keys and take possession.

They should be responsive and communicate clearly, possess a strong understanding of the local market, offer reasonable rates, and support borrowers throughout the process, all while ensuring legal compliance to protect your interests.

They can ask you to serve notice so one unit (or both) are vacant at the time of possession, but if you agree to that make sure you have a large deposit and some of that is not refundable if the buyer backs out as you will need it to cover the lost rent.

Primary targets are located in cities (100k+) with positive population growth over the past five years; possessing easily identifiable macroeconomics. 

I would like coverage starting from the time I take possession, during renovation and up until the time it sells. 

It makes sense, most have no credit, no balance sheet yet  possess this desire to own real estate with no proper direction or understanding of the business  and this is the unfortunate outcome. 

If the seller is still on the property after you close (you negotiated delayed possession), I wouldn't be opposed to doing exterior work (roof, landscaping, concrete, etc.), but I wouldn't do any interior work.

Depending on what you find available and how many possessions you have but it’s likely possible to find a decent sized duplex to purchase.

But in my neophyte view, the answer to your question is possession of something that there is higher demand for than there is supply.  

Generally, reporting companies must provide four pieces of information about each beneficial owner:name;date of birth;address; andthe identifying number and issuer from either a non-expired U.S. driver’s license, a non-expired U.S. passport, or a non-expired identification document issued by a State (including a U.S. territory or possession), local government, or Indian tribe.