We have contacted numerous lenders requesting 100% purchase and rehab and gap funding to cover all additional costs.  

Get that plan in place, give us some actual numerical information, and you can get a lot better and more specific advice. 

Especially considering your proximity to the city the prices are very high.I have purchased a Condo for just around 100k at Sheriff Sale and flipped it getting a great return to my fund.Additionally you can get started with numerous sub to deals, this was how I got started.  

Maybe think about taking contractor #1 to court.Did you get (legal under local law) lien releases from both contractors and their subs and suppliers before releasing partial finish draw pay?

There are numerous books/courses that talk about the major personality types.

Great to ask about questions to avoid numerous online scams that are out there.

There are numerous portfolio commercial lenders that can help.  

In NYC, you have numerous cases of landlords disregarding rent stabilization laws for years and years before getting caught.

You could offer the tenant some kick back for using that supplier that nets out that costs you less than not having the service plan but gives them some incentive.BTW I would do it as a kickback to ensure they actually use the provider.

@Caleb Spillyards I'd suggest first zeroing in on the strategy you're pursuing--you mentioned numerous strategies that are all quite different.