is this possible to do?

As I'm not a resident or citizen of the US (I'm European and live in Europe), I can't seem to get good rates with the traditional mortgage providers and banks. 

Our unit turns typically do not exceed two weeks at the very most (major work).You definitely have a right to be frustrated and annoyed!

Lots of European banks are charging customers a fee to leave their money in their banks which is another important part not to forget.

They key European markets may not make sense, but less familiar ones may hold opportunities.

Your options are stacking which will crowd the kitchen and a European style combo single unit which is expensive. 

I downloaded a spreadsheet  that had most major components listed with their expected life spans.

May have to contact directly.Some lenders hire exclusive brokers to list properties,others handle one-offs,eitherway the broker/agent may no ZERO about a short sale so you may be barking up wrong tree talking with listing agent.I have done dozens and settled with most major and midsize lenders.

But in most major metro markets I would not count on much short term capital appreciation at this stage.

His statement is a market wont be in a bubble until U have 1/3 of the inventory is short sales foreclosures etc. and that simply is not the case in 90% of the markets. there are always bombed out houses that can be bought for cheap in most Major MSA urban core war zones that never changes.