If its a hot market by you, the LA probably isn't answering because they know they'll get offers in w/o any questions - it makes you seem difficult at this point when a price or your qualifications haven't yet been established.

But it could be more difficult if you work 6-80 hours/week and buy properties that require extensive rehab/have lower quality tenants. 

BM is out too.As soon as someone starts lying to me and being difficult, I'm looking for an opportunity to get rid of them.

As a homeowner turned renter and retiree from another state, I had assets (savings account balance) to prove my capacity to pay the rent for a year and a good credit score to prove my character of paying my bills on time.

It'll recover once the balances are paid off... but if your backup plan is to get a loan after... you might be in for a surprise.The other way to do this is get personal loan, interest will be higher but same idea, little easier to manage and refi out of.

Buying for the loan balance from sellers with two mortgage payments is so common it can be an entire business unto itself.

If you are conservative want to count on the income as pension you can cash out the balance and expect several K income with tax and insurance obligation.

It seems slightly more difficult to jump right in vs. house hacking first, but I wanted to explore any options I may have available to me now.

Accountants use it and it's easier to provide P&L's and Balance Sheets to the few that don't.

(which is difficult enough) Until they get a judgment, they have a legal battle, not something they can collect.