However to answer your question there are lenders that will look more at the performance of the property than your own personal financial situation.

Sell the property at a large loss:Downside: Large loss shown on my tax return, potentially impacting ability to get future financing; Upside: I can redeploy some capital into higher performing projects immediately; After running the numbers on my side, it feels like it makes way more sense to sell the property at a large loss.

in most other countries the due diligence is performed BEFORE a price is agreed to, as a result “earnest money” is 25% of price, it goes “hard” immediately, and there are no contingencies.

Or do you typically keep the existing staff on at the complex, provided it’s performing?

The lender will perform a desktop appraisal but they will typically have a short view on the value of the property to protect the company’s investment which means you will be coming out of pocket more.

The lender will perform a desktop appraisal but they will typically have a short view on the value of the property to protect the company’s investment which means you will be coming out of pocket more.

Have you had an inspection performed? 

During the last year+, locations with low appreciation rates suddenly started performing.

While I am not saying that it is impossible to accomplish this task, each person has to take these proposed "models" in perspective and to their own situation.  

They're going to want to know you're serious and have financial ability to perform before they invest time in you.