Yes it can be done, especially by banks that are looking for owner occupants.

If someone tries to buy this house they would have to remove the existing occupant.

Properties with high equity, absentee owner and owner occupants, driving for dollars, code violation lists you can get from municipalities, tax delinquent, pre-forclosures, and so on.

It appraised for $210k as-is, with just 50% occupancy ($4500 rent).

I can easily reach out to contractors who are on the preferred vendor list at my brokerage firm but since most agents build their business on owner occupants instead of investors, I want to truly cater my business accordingly.

Code didn't care that the tenant was likely the cause for the roaches considering we did a complimentary spray upon occupancy and we did not see any bugs the 21 days the home was vacant.  

From what I understand, contract for deed could only be utilized if it were being sold to a non owner occupant, which may or may not be possible based on who the buyer is.

Properties listed for sale in the six months preceding the disbursement date of the new mortgage loan are limited to 70% LTV, CLTV, and HCLTV ratios (or less if mandated by the specific product, occupancy, or property type – for example, 65% for manufactured homes)"... https://www.fanniemae.com/content/guide/selling/b2...Is the higher 75% LTV ratios that you mentioned only referring to SEASONED (SFR) refis?

You should be aware that Dodd-Frankenstein puts strict limits on the terms that may be offered to owner occupants on seller financed deals.

I believe space can be leased up with active management with the ability to cash flow TIs and LC to get to 90% occupancy.