This is really the standard for something pre-built.

Try picking on the low hanging fruit first, "Pre-foreclosures" you already know they are in trouble.)Would also “drive for dollars” by biking and running but only in my local neighborhood here in Northeast LA.

How would I go about getting a home under contract without being pre-approved?

Pre payment penalties, yeah happy Monday.

The lot I'm interested is in town, has access water & sewer available, from all perspectives what are things that are different than buying a traditional pre-built home.

I can pre-authorize an amount and if the expense is below that, the vendor can do the repairs without talking to me live4) Urgent maintenance issues - say a pipe breaks, or tenant is locked out.

I would say first to wait our your pre-payment penalties if applicable. 

check with a local attorney there are rules for filing liens of course anyone can file them but that does not mean they were filed legally.. in most states you have to give a PRE lien notice in writing and by certified mail.. you have time limits to file it.. so if they try to cloud your title they are taking a risk of slander of title. not that they have any money to pay if they lose but you can fire back with that if you need to.

Their site looks nice and pretty transparent, although the FAQ about pre-payment penalty is a bit vague. 

I took out my HELOC with PenFed in pre-COVID.