I wish I could tell you that I have no knowledge/experience with this issue but actually I have encountered it numerous, numerous times. 

This is what I am encountering, in the current Mortgage Industry.

Someone has already encountered the solution or worked through the deal you are searching out the knowledge for.

With your loan amount it's likely you will encounter a full-recourse lender as most of the non-recourse lenders prefer loans above 1MM.Your friend has either cultivated relationships with lenders who will cater to his wants based on a long track record of permanence or he is playing in a deeper pool than you are currently where he has non-recourse options available due to higher loan amounts.I wouldn't put too much stock in what he said as it's more common to get a full-recourse loan than a non-recourse one.

I would recommend you connect with Contractors that deal with Historic Houses renovations, since they might encounter situations in need of a structural engineer. 

This is what I am encountering, in the current Mortgage Industry.

I'm hoping someone can shed some light on a very frustrating problem I'm encountering with Homepath properties in Madison, WI.I'm looking to purchase, as an owner occupier, a single family home in Madison, WI. 

And have you ever encountered any issues due a poorly drafted sales contract, a misleading Property Condition Disclosure, or from the tenants included with the purchase?

Future buyers will most likely encounter the same issue and therefore the property could sit on the market for a whileWalking away from $500 or $1000 earnest money hurts but hurts less than getting in to a bad deal

I have never encountered this so I don't know for sure.