Suggestions/direction welcome!

I'd suggest talking to loan officers at the smaller local banks in the Triad - they will have more flexibility in their underwriting criteria than the big banks, might be willing to spend more time with you assembling a good loan if he or she feels a relationship can develop, and will be more in touch with the local marketplace.

Thanks for the suggestion on the rent schedule w/ appraisal, I'll bring up that point as well.As a fall-back I have found an asset based lender with rates that would work, thanks @Matt Mcguirk.  

Best thing to do is call them, they are glad to help, tell you what others do, offer suggestions etc.Doug

My lender had suggested I receive a gift for the down payment.

PECOs website suggests that it is ~3x more expensive for Oil compared to Natural gas.The heat is forced air if I remember correctly.

Just a suggestion.

My friend suggested this storage container company in Calgary .

I also hate the idea of buying a house at market value, but in Raleigh, it seems you have to buy them for above market value.Any suggestions?

@Wyatt Johnson I highly suggest disclosing that information regardless of what disclosure laws of Montana are, the headache of the potential lawsuit is not worth it.