Mostly on trade accounts with local businesses for the materials, some business credit cards, some of the contractors were OK with waiting 30 days for payment. 

They show some creative ways to borrow money or to payoff debt using credit lines but their disclaimer is to see your cpa and/or lawyer.

The downside is they usually come with higher interest rates and shorter loan terms.Partnerships or Co-signers: If your husband or a trusted partner has U.S. legal status and credit history, they might be able to co-sign or help with financing.Cash Purchases: Since you have savings in Canada, you might consider using that for your first property, especially for a smaller rehab project.Foreign National Loans: Some lenders specialize in providing loans for foreign nationals.

If a seller listed a home for $100,000 but was willng to sell for $94,000 as that was likely the FMV, it would be the same to him if he accepted $100,000 with a 6% seller credit or $94,000.I looked at the zip codes of lower priced homes in Memphis, Cleveland and Indianapolis and they appeared to perform betterMemphis38105 - Prices were $35,700 in 2016 and now $116,000(220%)38106 - Prices were $21,600 in 2016 and now $60,900(180%)Cleveland44108 - Prices were $34,000 in 2016 and now $59,800(74%)44104 - Prices were $36,300 in 2016 and now $60,400(66%)Indianapolis46201 - Prices were $42,900 in 2016 and now $149,000(247%)46222 - Prices were $39,000 in 2016 and now $127,000(225%)I should mention that I don't invest in Memphis, Cleveland or Indianapolis.

Then you may shop in that price range.Tip: check with your local credit union: they will consistently have better rates and often the underwriting of loans is done locally.Mike

Could you send them a credit/debit card you can reload from America?

If your rate is low on the 5 unit, I might consider the possibility of a line of credit for my equity instead of an entire new mortgage.  

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

I think they are just an extremely conservative bank and that is their interpretation of Fannie's guidelines.I have already gotten approved from some other banks (credit unions), so I'm not worried, but I am curious if anyone else has run into a bank telling them they need at least a 20% down payment on 3-4 units, regardless of it being FHA or not.

Quote from @John Underwood: Well how many reviews were there and were they all 5 star. 10 Star now on Vrbo.They have 42 reviews and the score isn't bad at all for this specific potential client.