I'd be happy to assist with the financing portion (if you are considering here in HI).

Seller will owner finance the portion she can.To those who have been walking down this path, how are you funding these projects?

Screen them as you normally would - does their income substantiate their portion of the rent +/- a little for changes in what the housing authority will pay out?

The property itself should bring in revenue ( even if you choose not to live in one side) and generally a bank will accept a portion of that rental income into the calculation. 

Almost every reputable lender is going to have a draw process for any lender funded rehab portion. 

I will definitely talk to her if she would give or sell me her portion. 4.  

They paid their portion of the rent.I have found a lot of investors bring their personal or political feelings into the investing conversation. 

If you are nearby, if you have ever been a pizza delivery person, maybe deliver a pizza to the wrong house that may or may not be the one being foreclosed on so atleast you can see inside a small portion. we used to just go knock on the door some folks would actually let you look around.

The building is now vacant in the bottom portion including by sister's business.

If scaling quickly is your goal, DSCR loans are a great tool for the refi portion since there’s no 12 month seasoning requirement like conventional loans, and DTI isn’t a factor.