I've got no problem with them booking direct.

The renovation aimed to modernize the property, enhance its appeal to potential tenants, and maximize its long-term value.

As I read your post, the reoccurring theme that came up was a screening problem. 

If you manage to get this off the ground and do some verified - meaning paperwork is in your name, or company's name, etc - projects that turn a profit, and you build some capital in a bank, you should be able to go right to that lender after a year or two and start a relationship no problem.  

This tenant is a problem tenant and should move on somewhere else.

Have a property in Springfield that I am experiencing the same problem.

The bigger problems is that you are overdoing how good the property is.

One was taken over by some squatters causing problems for the neighbors and the police were contacted who contacted the lender.

The only problem is that the house is old (built in 1957) and small (1039 sqft).

This wasn't a problem for us but I would certainly steer clear of any projects that are time sensitive and require some kind of planning.