The government likes to put its rules on everything and the housing market is surly one thing it wants to control as people can be screwed out of large sums of money.

Since there are several types of trusts, and each have their own benefits, an Attorney is a good person to evaluate and guide you down the path of creating the correct vehicle to protect your investments, while creating tax benefits.If you decide to consult an Attorney(s), make sure you pick one that understands the following subject matter: estate planning and trusts, REITs, Federal & State Taxes, business entities, real estate, and Family Law. 

@Joshua Dorkin Can you also make the pipeline and political propaganda from the Harper government {Canadian Federal Government} disappear?

If they have 5k-10k down why not try to qualify for FHA or other federal programs?  

You should shop around, you have leverage.I have not dealt with BECU, have had good luck with Red Canoe, but they don't go further north than Federal Way.  

I know that the commercial sites don't generally allow you to resell their data, but I generate my own data from public sources (eg: government web-sites).I use the data personally to assess the market, generate trends/leads, etc, but I was thinking the other day that other people might be interested in the data.Thanks!

Unfortunately the government is cracking down on loan requirements so renting your current home to purchase a smaller multi-unit most likely won't qualify (a few of my investors have run into this problem).

State Governments would never give private companies access to that information. 

If the price you pay for the HOA's equity plus the existing secured debts is attractive, go ahead and buy, but don't think for one minute that you're going to pull a fast one over the lender.Oh, and be careful about equity skimming jaws should the existing loan be Federally insured.

In short, you may want to verify with the laws that govern the project location to determine what requirements may exist there in so much as with whom you are allowed to contract with.And regardless of whether your hire a GC or not, every single subcontractor should have liability insurance (and worker's comp or a waiver if allowed).