Lending is tough, you need to know the market you're lending in, usually you want to have an understanding of credit-risk and be able to pull credit and run background to get a better read on your borrower.

@Sandra Ho, It sounds like you are talking about late payments on their credit report for things like credit cards, car payments, student loans, etc.

I bank with Navy Federal Credit Union, and they have a great 20 year interest only HELOC option in which I could utilize my substantial home equity.

Should I check into local smaller banks here or Credit Unions? 

My first attempts to get a loan ended in some pretty humbling experiences (getting laughed out of a couple of banks due to zero credit history).Fast forward to today, and after building up some credit, a stronger W-2, and a solid professional background, I’m finally back in West Palm Beach, Florida, looking to make my first deal happen.

CA taxes residents on worldwide income but may provide a credit for taxes paid to other states.

When I go to my credit union for a commercial loan there is no junk fees, no origination fee or maybe a half point origination and a better rate.

As a generic advice:  I would recommend paying off any credit card debt, or high loans. 

There are hundreds of videos on the internet of armed citizens stopping crime and the VAST, OVERWHELMING majority of them are untrained people that rarely - if ever - have shot a gun.

Who pays for maintenance is determined by the written contract between parties, not a list on the internet.