Both can be pricey, so an alternative is to ask a friend or broker with access to let you hop on and collect names and contact info for 20-30 minutes.

Another alternative is to "trade" investments.

The house rents for $850/mo, and I think I could push it to $950, give or take - but the debt payments (30-year loan at 4.75 or 5%) and taxes and insurance would take up all of that, leaving nothing for renovations.One alternative I’ve pondered would be to secure it and then seller-finance it to an owner-occupant.

You might be able to convince seller to let you out for even or something but if you still like the property and want to hold on you need to get alternative financing in place because this seller seems unlikely to actually grant the extension.

Alternatively, you or your realtor could visit the building department to confirm whether or not a permit was issued for this work in the garage.

I help investors “unlock” their IRAs and 401Ks to be able to invest in alternative assets such as real estate.

I’m considering as an alternative to buy a large single family and rent per room.

How will these various alternatives perform in the future?

Wanted to get thoughts on redevelopment options - looks like everyone is building retail ground floor and apts above but wanted to get thoughts on micro units and condos as alternatives. 

Or alternatives to get the ~$25k cash that will not disqualify me for the FHA construction mortgage?