We can close in an LLC's name (with a personal guarantee), and 0% origination fee is possible but will likely impact the interest rate so it's a tradeoff. 

Step 2- close and start rehab-- would need to pay holding cost during rehab?

This really depends on what your looking to do however for a very basic overview far west side is great, downtown and very close to the Cleveland Clinic, Little Italy, Tremont, and Ohio City are still great areas.

I already have some equity in the property after doing a complete rehab but I don't want to diminish my returns selling it after one year, paying for commissions/closing costs.

At the end of the day, both of these respective vendors/individuals are paid when the deal closes. 

If you want to change the design, then do upon closing.

Debating closing off my calendar but fear on missing out on bookings while I try to transition to MTR.

Came close on two Mexican restaurants but they fell through for one reason or another.

Now, Kiavi is telling me I need to bring $20,000 to the closing table** to make this work because they’re lending at 70% LTV.

There are a lot of affordable properties in Knoxville, but the growth isn't terribly vibrant and the deman isn't what you'd expect for a city of that size and that close to the Smokies - you're mostly looking at college rentals for the meat of the move season, and the SF market, while it exists, doesn't really compare to Chattanooga.