A lender? 

If it were me, I would get a private money loan and use that money to buy more properties, maybe a mixed bag of flips, short-term rentals and long-term rentals. 

Once you have self-income, and if you don't have employees, you can set up a Solo 401K (and Solo 401K Roth), the best option of SDIRA options, and contribute tax-deferred/free $69,000 per year (and $69K for your wife, if she's a managing partner in the PM LLC), thus setting aside a big chunk for more investments (private lending, notes, syndications, even more houses).

Technology has allows investors and lenders to be effective nationwide.  

Don't pay your mortgage, lender will likely take your house.So I expect while there is a lot of talk about tax sales, in the end they have to continue.   

My lender packaged and sold my mortgage, and when I called the new servicer to inquire about a HELOC/ Home Equity Loan they told me I wasn't eligible because of my short ownership duration.I am planning to pay for most of the improvements with cash I have on hand from my W2 job, but I want to get something set up in case of an emergency repair/ use towards other investment opportunities.

Asking is $200K, my relative (buyer) looking to put 20% down.He is pre-approved for the amount, lender has prepared both a conventional loan and a mass housing loan option for first time buyers.Would be purchasing as an owner occupied "primary residence", rates are decent under both options.Condo is currently rented, tenant lease expires the end of August - roughly 4 months.Lender says both loan programs require buyer to occupy the unit within 60 days, to qualify for first time buyer deals.Is there a way to get them to extend this to 120 days (4 months) until the tenant lease is up?

I felt like I was ready, given had all my 1098 statements from the lenders.  

Is your DSCR ratio greater than 1-meaning are you cash flowing (according to the lender's criteria of mortgage, property taxes and insurance (and HOA) if applicable).

The good thing about househacking a legal multifamily unit is that lender allows you to use the vacated units of 75% market rent as an income to offset the potential current mortgage.