Before purchase I stopped at the recording office to look at the records and I should be in the clear. 

Next stop is your city zoning office.That it already has a meter bodes well for your chances.

[Unused borrowable equity - is dead equity!]

Check with a closing agent in your state that does owner financed closings.I will warn you that unless you get a sizeable chunk of money upfront from your renter, the cost of foreclosing them out if they stop paying could make this a money loser for you.Rather than financing them, could you instead just offer them an option to purchase within the next few years?

I have work with a mortgage company that can borrow based on the future cash flows of the deal (with a down payment of 20-25%) for around 7-8%..

I basically stopped answering her calls and texts.

Most private lenders limit to four rentals per building for commerical, but usually can make an exception if a borrower has a proven track record of rental properties.

It’s a grind so you have to have a mindset that you’re never going to stop!

At what stage does a seasonal investor stop buying and start saving.

As far as Lee and Charlotte Counties go, it seems that most people that are still underwater are underwater because they've stacked HELOCs or second mortgages on some properties or they've simply stopped paying years ago so their banks have levied heavy fees, fines, etc. on top of unpaid principle.On the appraisal side of my work, I have lender clients who have ordered drive-by appraisals for pre-foreclosure properties since 2012.