The market was much more active at the time though than it is now, so it could be easier now.

I was house hacking a duplex with a VA loan and there were some beams that needed to be put up in the basement.

@Ellis Moyewe really don't know a lot about this situation since there aren't many details in your post... but i don't think this makes any sense for anyone involved here...if it's a flip that's not selling, refinancing may not solve your problem and allow you to pay back the HML in fulland typically a sub to buyer wants a low interest rate... and if you refinance now you won't be getting a low interest rate, you'll just be getting whatever the market offers.and finally.... the vast majority of loans are NOT assumable. 

The Cville market is quite competitive.

In some areas, we board up the 1st floor windows until we are about to start marketing the property.

Find a market or strategy, sounds like youre starting with land.

So, I've bought a number of vacant lots, that used have houses on them, that were demolished in the 90's.

My units are rented but one tenant is month to month and under market.

Cleveland and Dayton can be great markets for high cash flow and low purchase prices, but you need to be careful when navigating the neighborhoods so you're not buying in a D/F class area where no property managers will manage and where you'll never see any positive cash flow.

In this area, market values hit around $4.95 million, giving you a solid 131% ROI.