The dilemma i face now is that I can’t decide if it makes more sense to embrace the c class identity this property gives the impression of, or put a lot more into the renovation, get better quality tenants and convert it to the B class property that the building (and the area) should/could be.

Think of it this way - you have two communities with 1 bed 1 bath 900 sf units.One has a HOA fee of $350 and another identical is $650 - which units will have higher valuations? 

There are plenty of other legitimate lenders available.After this post I found they had an address in San Francisco that had a bank website that was identical with all the errors.

No, material costs sit nearly identical.

It’s also a lot safer to use a cc to protect against identity theft.

But I'll need to build the road myself, which will likely be costly (especially since it'll involve clearing some trees first).Next to the property I'm buying there's a second nearly identical lot for sale that has the same access problem.

If you sold and rebought the identical condo in the same building your cost basis would be the new higher cost, so you’ve captured all the gains tax free.  

My only suggestion with Zillow is to TRIPLE check the persons Identity (Have them show you their driver license during a showing), Call their last landlord, and call their employer.

Maryland LLCs are public information.Why would you want to hide your identity from your tenants?

For $295, you can buy a fake identity including id, selfie, tax return, utility bills, credit file, even a phone number where someone will verify employment.