I am set to close on it in about two weeks and am slightly nervous about finding a tenant in a good amount of time, given that there are a lot of similar new constructions in the same community that are up for rent but have been sitting on the market for 30-70+ days. 

From the brief amount of research I have done I think the first action I would take would be in the direction of Househacking. 

Construction loans have a fair amount of fees involved.

Probably approaching $100k in total.My options seem to be sell and pay an additional ~70k out of pocket to the lender (underwater amount) or make the repairs and hope the problem is corrected once and for all.

Tenant Default: 0-5% probability of eviction or early lease termination.Section 8: Class A rents are too high and won’t be approved.Vacancies: 5-10%, depending on market conditions.Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Class B Properties:Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 620-680, some blemishes, no convictions/evictions in last 5 years.Tenant Default: 5-10% probability of eviction or early lease termination.Vacancies: 10-15%, depending on market conditions.Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 1-3 years for positive cashflow, balanced amounts of relative rent & value appreciation.Section 8: Class B rents are usually too high for the Section 8 program.Class C Properties:Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 560-620, many blemishes, but should have no convictions/evictions in last 3 years.

I have a considerable amount of cash tied up for possibly more than 2 months.  

Tenant Default: 0-5% probability of eviction or early lease termination.Section 8: Class A rents are too high and won’t be approved.Vacancies: 5-10%, depending on market conditions.Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Class B Properties:Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 620-680, some blemishes, no convictions/evictions in last 5 years.Tenant Default: 5-10% probability of eviction or early lease termination.Vacancies: 10-15%, depending on market conditions.Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 1-3 years for positive cashflow, balanced amounts of relative rent & value appreciation.Section 8: Class B rents are usually too high for the Section 8 program.Class C Properties:Tenant Pool: Majority of FICO scores 560-620, many blemishes, but should have no convictions/evictions in last 3 years.

Her soon to be ex husband was the only reason they could afford the house in the first place and he isn't paying for anything anymore, so I'm trying to help her figure out a way to keep paying her mortgage, or at least reduce her payment to an amount she can afford.Do any of you know of a way to get him on some kind of rental assistance program in the Indianapolis Indiana area?

What is your price range/down payment amount?

Did you set out to retire with real estate, did you have a goal or an amount you wanted to make?