Would I need to add some kind of fire escape?

@Jacob Graul, that last statement is kind of an oxymoron.

The area I invest in is a gentrifying city, so there is plenty of work to be had for someone who wants this kind of work.  

If you have any info please be kind enough to direct message me an I'll do my part an try to be some help to you if not now but one day.

I would think though in this resi stuff you just get on a mail list and keep pinging them every 90 to 180 days basically until you buy it or it falls down.. kind of like a realtor and their farm.

On the positive, there are more analytics that are available to this kind of lending.  2006 lending was pure sloppiness.  

PLUG numbers IE 600 foot of 8 inch sewer at 80 bucks a foot installed.. that kind of thing.there fee and then survey construction sign offs then post pre and post plat monumentation.. 5 to 10k up front can save you 100's of thousands on the back end..

I have one but kind of by default and no recommendations to go with it.

We obviously don't have a current tenant, but we have one lined up if we can get it ready.So, with all that background, the question: Does anyone know how to do a home equity loan or any kind of financing on a house (condo) that needs work?

In any kind of transaction, you have to find a way to add value if you want to get paid.People don't typically hand you a house in a desirable neighborhood with zero repairs needed for less than the full market value.