Is it not true that, in GA, after barring you "control/possess" the property?

Once I received the lease today,  I did a quick google search on the names and found out within 30 seconds that the 25 yr old one has 20 open warrants for things like possession with intent to sell, burglary, drunk driving and so on over a 5 year period.

You don't get possession until the Sheriff's Deed is issued, and that only comes when full payment is made.  

If the average is below 600 I require a cosigner with a 650 score and a verifiable asset.Think about it, you are giving them possession of an asset valued at $50,000 or $100,000 or $150,000.

Cars are a depreciating asset and there is a possession issue to address.

I spent a good amount to redo the unit and put it on market and I found a new tenant who looked good on paper with no evictions, clear background (except for 1 record from 2004 due to possession of 30 grams marijuana which is now legalized).

This shouldn't matter much since you plan on refinancing the property anyways once you have possession. 

Who do know that possess the knowledge needed?

We never got possession of the unit.

This is only one example, but the owner of land with favorable entitlements possesses a lot of flexibility including but not limited to contributing land as part of a JV or selling the land at a premium.