Since our background for 35+ has been new construction production builders, we prefer the term redevelopment versus rehab or gut rehab.

Follow manufacturers directions to a T and you should have a quality finished product. 

Yea I don't think the credit score would have been the reason they declined you.

The Premier product was far superior, both in finish details and how it arrived. 

Why would declining short sales mean flipping is dead?  

In the first scenario, property values decline and your property becomes worth $650,000. 

Other than that, it is the same product you would have from a mortgage broker or bank.There is one loan product for any SFH or multi-family, 1-4, purchase. 5+ units moves into a different product; commercial, I think.Pretty sure you cannot combine two loans for a property, but your idea of using the second for upgrades or rehab might work.

The only reason some people purchase Dun and Bradstreet's Credit Builder product is to allow them to add trade references to their credit profile.  

But there is another issue here... not all "scores" are created equal... you need to check the score that banks are actually using, for the product you are trying to get.

Are there any products out there that I can install so closets/doors cannot be slammed?