I’ve been told by many local banks and credit unions that they will not do the deal.

Is their any LO officer I can get in-touch with that can educate me on how to swing this deal or the route I can take to make it happen. 

Would love to stay connected with you and do some deals.

Finding deals (or networking with people who bring them to you)2.

As I've seen when helping clients buy businesses, the SBA usually gives you an easier time for those that bundle the real estate in with the deal 

Remodeling and repairing during the night and hunting for deals while I was in class.

That is what you need on these deals, rehabbers want the easiest closing in the fastest time! 

Use stuff like this and you'll have good markets and deals in no time. 

Some lenders also count your retirement account as reserves.Seems like you’re on the right track, keep looking in your buy box so you know what a great deal is when you’re ready to buy.Wish you the best.

As far as tapping into the equity without doing a refinance, we offer some great HELOC products which are especially good for funding short term deals like ground up constructions or fix and flips.