Once you're deemed credit worthy by lenders you can start using leverage which needs to be used VERY carefully but is also extremely powerful.I personally do NOT recommend that someone with a trades or self employment 'life track' as you are describing is best suited to buy a first house with cash, and for instance use your time to fix it up.Few reasons here:Firstly, often the kinds of 'cash deals' available are ones that can to generalize tend to be more cash flow type properties (as opposed to equity properties). 

He described the apt as "neat and clean", and the smell of smoke as "moderate".

If you look at my other post, it'll pretty much describe that in the Greater Seattle Area that housing is pretty expensive especially off construction worker wages.

@Matt Popilek What you described is exactly what i am looking to do.

I describe Class C as "nothing fancy, but it's clean, safe, everything works."  

@Karisa K.The situation you are describing doesn't sound uncommon.

I have my license for the exact reason you describe as well as MLS access for comps.

No mistake of using the wrong forms etc.You know how often I run into problems like the op has described and which seem you have run into...never.

He might have needed those new gloves after 7 hours if he ran into this nightmare you described!

Johnathon contrary to popular belief HML these days post GFC is just about as stringent as bank financing.you NEED money you NEED credit and you NEED experience.best way to start is to partner with someone who has the above and build your own experience bucket.you will not get a loan with the situation you described.