There are less renters now so OP might need to compromise on the lease cost, so imo I would rent it at an attractive price now, and in 6 months raise the rent to market.

I've received several call from prospective buyers asking for my help in seeing this home and stating that they sent him their personal documents after which their accounts were compromised.  

Based on your assessment, it feels like the only way for you to buy something now is to make a compromise that you don't want to make or to get out over your skis a bit more than you'd like. 20 years from now, it won't make much of a difference whether you bought something today or two years from now. 

This tenant is violating the lease, and compromising the peaceable enjoyment of their neighbors' homes. 

My current plan is make a conservative offer, pending financing so that I can get those 8 and have enough cash flow to pay my HELOC while not compromising the flip.

Federal programs will require you to use GC/licensed folks for a lot of the work and they will get reimbursed by the institution that your loan is with; many GCs don't want to wait on the float time of requesting funds and getting them.Depending on the program and rehab/condition of the home, you may not be required to live in the home (think black mold remediation...bank isn't going to put you in a compromised position) however they may have min/max of when you need to move in.

I'd go for the best location, ideally, but without a strong compromise on your funds.

It’s about using scale and efficiency to reduce operating costs, which, over time, can be passed on to tenants without compromising the endowment’s sustainability.

If you want to live in the area, though, then you're going to have to compromise.

Even if it's 10 years old or more, the potential for shifting is still there and you may have been structurally compromised for years and just not known. 3/4 inch displacement is fairly significant (IMO) for a slab foundation. 3.