Mind you, I had completed appraisals, credit pulls, and all other tasks that they required.

They are generous on the values so sometime my actual cash out of pocket is less than 15%, for example, I pay 102K for a house that appraises for 108K, the extra 6K they count towards my down payment so I get a mortgage for 91,800 because that's 85% of 108K and I write a check for about 10K.

I know this might seem insignificant to experienced investors, but I just got the appraisal back from the bank this week and have access to about $145K in a HELOC so I'm creating CCCs around this number. 

I have someone offering me a bridge loan to help solve my immediate needs however they want me to pay nearly $5,000 for a MAI commercial appraisal.

Purchase Price of $215k + $240k Reno costs Totaling around $450k all in.The property appraised for $875k What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

if your loan is 154k  then this prop probably appraised for loan purposes at 200k or so. and that price point is usually in a decent area or street..

A seller could also refuse to pay any concessions for buyers closing costs, appraisal required repairs, etc. but it would be to their own detriment.

When this all went south, he told me he was going to refund me for the money I spent on appraisals for my five properties. $1000 apiece worth 5000 in total.

@Shawn Tuma & @Chris KayVery difficult in today's market to cashflow putting 0% down:(5-10 years ago it was possible, but prices have increased faster than rents.Your best bet is to find a property that needs work, but will still pass a VA appraisal/inspection. 

Work with a loan officer & agent to know what your appraised value is before you even do the work.