@Alex Hamilton, almost all upfront money requests by lenders are scams. 

This might be a redundant post but every few times it's a good reminder that they are leeches out there trying to make a few bucks on your property without your permission and end up scamming good people.

However, there are many smaller size lenders willing to lend up to 10 conventional loans, just need to keep searching and calling all different smaller banks, but be careful there are a lot of scam nowadays, just do your diligence.

I agree with George above that Craigslist can be a great tool for finding workers however be careful, Craigslist also has its fair share of scams.

True Story of How my First Real Estate Investment was a Scam

Illiquidity, over improving, and scam redemptions may be also concerns until you get clear title.

Everything I found so far in Florida is very unprofessional, lacks transparency and feels very much like a scam.

And I decided not to go there because I didn't know if I bring the money I would never come back home'.Obviously, this is a scam.

What a scam. 

Once your number is on their list, you'll never hear the end of all sucker scams known to mankind.