Cost of materials/labor increased due to COVID 19 and unforeseen events took place that increased the cost of rehab.

The event details are posted here in BP under the Events Tab. 

Since the reassessments and attendant liens occurred after the Date of Policy, the claims were denied. 

The brokerage I work for hosts a few events a month. 

If by chance the lender becomes aware and this gets sticky by the buyer not having moved in within the stated time frame, you want to be clearly able to demonstrate that there was no fraud and several missteps occurred in order to end up with OO building that wasn't able to be occupied.

If he will be made whole upon a triggering event, then doesn’t sound like a gift

One lender so that the lender has first lien position in the event that I was to default.

(today is our first 'live' event since Covid).

The only negotiation that would occur is if the lender was doing a short sale....and with the suction a week away, not much incentive for them to do that. 

Try to find some networking events in your area, they are usually at restaurants or bars/casual spots where you can meet people and network, and these are usually free.