They are just going to use their 2nd VA loan to buy their next one while this one is tied up. 

Stop reading if you want.2) I couldn’t guess what “There is a 6 months of grace period before interest payment begins” means.3) They call their $3555 charge a “Loan Fee,” stated a few lines up as 2%. 2% of $235,000 (loan amount) is $4470.4) Do you seriously believe the loan fee, “… IS 100% REFUNDABLE IF THERE IS ANY DEFAULT FROM THEPART OF THE LENDER OR IF THE BORROWER CHOOSES TO TERMINATE THE LOAN.”5) It’s okay to pay an appraiser directly.

If I got a home equity loan for Property 1 and used the proceeds as downpayment for Property 2 and then got a 2nd loan for the remaining 75% purchase price for Property 2, when I sell Property 2, can I use the Property 1 loan as part of the cost basis for computing Property 2 capital gains?

Unlike a mortgage the interest on your loan will not be tax deductible.

I doubt he'll be able to quality for a loan (VA) with just his income. 

Business loans typically won't let you purchase a property if you read the fine print.

Since you will be renting it out you should get a conventional loan.

Your personal loan has a 5 year balloon period.  

If that's not an option, I would recommend he look into his state and local municipalities' rules on how to handle abandoned vehicles.

Its a tiny loan for any institution.You'll have to get hard bids from a local GC, but maybe $110/ft?