My firm has several lenders who can seamlessly close in 15 days on 'traditional' mortgages at/below market rates and we've been doing so for a couple of years now. 

Private Money or Hard Money LoanHow it works: Short-term loans from private or hard money lenders to purchase the lot and finance the construction.Benefits: Easier approval and faster processing, focusing on the property value rather than your income.Downside: Higher interest rates and shorter loan terms (typically 6-18 months).

Their rates are good but boy, they looked at my financials and ask some funny questions such as asking for proof that I could withdraw funds from my SEP IRA account, and that I need to provide documentation to verify that  this employer sponsored retirement account allows for funds to be withdrawn, or if withdrawals could only be made in connection with the borrowers employment termination, retirement or death etc. everyday they sent me something new to answer.

Cheap properties look good on paper but rarely perform as well as more expensive properties.

You have to put more money down and pay a higher interest rate and is limited to only 2% IPC.

My clients who invest in Section 8 housing do so in 'not quite' transitioned communities but that have low crime rates.

They have always rented them at well below market rate and the repairs were made by the tenants.

One of the key challenges I’m facing is understanding the financing options available to someone without Canadian residency or a local credit history.From my research, it seems that a 35% down payment is often required, with interest rates around 7.5-8.5% for non-residents.

If I leave this amount in Sch-E, I get taxed at ordinary income tax rate at Federal and State level, which along with my regular W2 income can be substantial.

The effort to foreclose, the limits on rates, etc.Maybe a unicorn to find HML that will loan him the necessary money, but I doubt he will find it.