Currently renting a room at my primary residence for some mortgage offset.

I applaud your desire to expose the practices which created loss and financial hardship for so many. 

I would love to hear from current franchise owners, be it HomeVestors, Red Barn, New Again Homes, Flip Cheap Homes, or any other flipping/wholesaling franchises out there.

As long as the rents can cover both the current PITI and proposed P&I payment, credit is at least 680. you should be able to qualify. 

I currently have around 100k tied up in sticks right now which I would prefer to leave in and just continue to save with the plan of getting a place in the next few years, I would get a second job to raise the funds.

Take stock of your current credit score and accounts.

I think the current zoning and your proposed use as it is zoned should help. 

@Caleb Brown -Thank you--the place was purchased early last year by current owner and completely renovated. 

., not a huge monthly cashflowing asset currently.

Currently cash flows.