When you are trying to find someone, look for an analytical mindset, we went through 2-3 that didn’t know how to use the data they pulled.

All the properties I highlighted last year were pulled prior to the auction. 

Frankly, I'd give priority to a pre-approval where the lender has pulled the borrowers credit and reviewed pay stubs, tax returns, W2s and bank statements.  

@Jay Hinrichs, exactly, it's far more likely the judgment will be required to be paid, so far more the suffering party, the prior landlord will get paid in the future instead of lenders (i.e. some portfolio &  private lenders) who may not make it a requirement to fund the loan.No matter what, its like attaching a Low Jack that flashes like a Neon Sign when someone pulls a report that says..."

The reason why I got commercial financing was because the places weren't immediately livable (missing kitchen, bathroom etc) and conventional lenders wouldn't lend on the property.Note even though they're commercial, at least for me, about the same application process as a conventional loan: full doc, credit pull, personal guarantee.   

Then I'm waiting 6 months for the property to "season" so I can either do a rate and term refi or cash out to pull out as much money as I can based off of appraised value and not aquisition cost.

An idea I had, following on Rayland's (Seattle)'s idea was to sell the project, with approved plans ready to pull for construction for maybe $50k over cost, and ask for a % at the backend, with the understanding that I would stay engaged in the entire process for learning purposes, while minimizing risk during construction phase.

All tenants should to be treated equally unfortunately that is not basic human nature.

I know Private Lenders who loan millions who will tell a borrower and their Mortgage Broker to go pound sand if they pull that ..."

It took us 2 months and and nearly $2500 to get everything up to code and permitted.As a homeowner you are allowed to do a lot, if not all of your home improvement project yourself (in Indianapolis you have to have an electrician pull electrical permits).