Not sure what 3rd party they use, I typically use transunion smartmove. 

Local banks typically offer lower interest rates but might require a solid track record and detailed financials.

Typically, the initial upfront for the rehab is either cash or a high interest loan (hard money or private). 

The better value add deals will typically be off-market. 3.

@Chris Kay finding a quality, cost-effective contractor is extremely difficult:(There are thousands of contractors that are great talkers, but rarely perform within budget.Standard bait & switch is to lowball a bid, then once they get started all sorts of things "pop up" that somehow their bid didn't cover.

Will you explain how a typical extension would work, please?

Typically there is a small window for you to appeal (although this could vary county to county). 

New Construction builds from builders like DR are typically the only ones who beat Mortgage Broker pricing on VA loans.

typically (as you probably know) you buy something distressed, with either cash or hard money, you fix it up, and then you refinance into long term debt. 

The lender is the one who sets this up as they are the ones who typically pay since its them who is to provide this as well as keep track of the loan, but only be a borrower if they use a servicer.