Also, we require a 620+ minimum credit score for all applicants, and anyone 18+ must apply.

You could look into a cash-out refinance with a private lender or a local credit union.

Main thing here is your credit utilization rate: if you want to refi down the road, it is best to keep credit utilization as low as possible to keep your credit score up.

@Gabriel Dent With a 730 credit score, you're in a good spot to house hack.

If a PM can't get rid of you or raise rents to keep up with inflation .... you had better have an amazing credit score etc    Can they look at previous evictions?   

The most important factors a hard money lender will look at, if you don't have experience, is your liquidity and credit score & history (as well as your background -- no liens, judgements, foreclosures, bankruptcies, etc).I would hit up @Michael Cid -- he's a tremendous resource and is a direct lender. 

This is a huge plus because it offers liability protection, meaning your personal assets are shielded if there are any legal issues with tenants or the property.Doesn’t Appear on Your Personal Credit: One of the big perks is that these loans don’t get reported on your personal credit profile, so they won’t impact your credit score or debt visibility.

Lender had access to my savings account, DTI, credit scores, etc.I put 3% down and used the rest of my savings for the rehab.

I had to prove that my credit score was acceptable, that I had not only good references from my current landlord, but the 2 previous ones.  

Minimum qualifications that I typically look for with tenants are a 600-620 credit score, need to be making at least 2.5-3x the monthly rent in combined income (verify their employment by making a call/googling), and I don't like to see any previous evictions/certain felonies for background check.