You may be able to find a local bank lender that will do it, but they may be very puzzled by the $1 sale price in the chain of title and ask awkward questions.You could sell and potentially 1031 into a more expensive property to defer the tax liability, but it is generally advisable to hold the initial property for one year prior to selling to be comfortable that the IRS won't challenge your subsequent 1031 tax deferral treatment.

I guess that is the next piece of the puzzle I need to figure out.  

I agree that the most important piece to the puzzle in diligence is having the confidence to walk if the price isn't right.

It is a puzzle you will have to put together for a judge (if going to court). 

One important piece of the puzzle is a property manager.

We just did a little exploratory trip to check out one area--it's amazing how looking in person vs. looking at the listing reveals so much more.

The bathrooms and tile throughout have all been updated, except the kitchen puzzles me (see the attached pic).  

Flipping seems like the riskiest bet, but a necessary piece of the puzzle for what I'm trying to do.   

I was quite puzzled at first as to why he chose me.

One thing that puzzles me, is it possible to have credit history as non resident?