You can try to shop with other lenders but you need money in reserves and for closing costs. 

We've seen cases for example where clients want to send their brother or cousin to do electrical work that they aren't licensed for.What I don't think would work is to have a ticket come in, and then reach out to a client so they can shop around for plumbers.

If I were a decent renter shopping in that neighborhood, I would choose that brick building over yours every time. 

Our team here at CrestCore is dedicated to working with the out of state investor and have the team in place to make us a "one stop shop" for everything you could need to build a portfolio here in Memphis.  

Based on your description, Party 1 seems like the safer choice.

Purchase price: $35,000 Cash invested: $15,000 Sale price: $80,000 3/2 SFR with shop sold in 2021.

We will shop for used appliances where we can when we need one… or pick up used cabinets if we can, or search eBay for something smaller,  but going to the extreme of personally shipping something big in internationally for one-off renovation needs seems like a stretch of reasonable.Just like you mention, the number of unknowns would not seem to be worth it to me.Just my 2 cents.Randy  

If that's the case look into finding a handyman, and make sure to shop around for the best price.Stuff I have ran into:lost keys/lockpicking [hired]broken washer [fixed myself]shower door [fixed myself]AC clogged [hired]Microwave broken [replaced myself]holes in the wall [fixed myself] Thank you!

However, many lenders offer only the 7A, so you'll have to shop around.

This will give you more time to shop rates/fees than to be under the gun with a purchase loan.