I'd suggest looking for an expierienced mortgage brokerage to work with.

I'm currently looking for my first deal so It's hard to imagine what to put in credibility packet when all the skills I have are not real estate related.I guess what I'm asking is how do you make people like lenders and other investors believe in you as much as you do?

I’d leave one unit vacant and the one unit MtM.

I'd like to try to get at least one more evaluation so if anyone has a property management company they highly recommend, that info would be much appreciated.

I'd get to the bottom of this @Steve Cook.  

I'd be happy to discuss further if you would like.

More than once I'd look at my wife and say, "We need to tighten the belt for awhile".

I have a good friend to whom I'd like to give some good advice.He was recently let go from a job (of 25 years) where he made $50,000 and had the exclusive use of a nice house.

You can sue all you want but I'd say you have described the need for 'earnest money' and it is time to say 'next'!.

However, the money I’d save by not paying $3500/month mortgage is $42,000 after 12 months – thus recovering the money paid on the capital gains tax.QUESTION: would you advise selling the rental to pay off the new home and take the $1400/month rental income loss (and gain $3500/month savings) or would you advise keeping the rental?