Don't worry about the inside/outside non-permit deal - that is something that could likely be done in a few days, and unless you are blatantly constructing (like a second floor addition) semi-long-term, the city probably won't notice.

.,  a title company may request additional information from previous owners. 

Normally if a client already owns a flagged hotel it would be some what easy to provide funding to buy an additional location.

I'm a recent graduate that's been saving up since the start of my first year of employment for my first rental property.

Then if the project sells in 10-months which is not uncommon in my market where permits can take way too long, you pay an addition 4 pts in extension fees.

Co-signer or not, if they don't have a job and can't get one quickly, the rent can't / won't be paid.Still may be a good idea to get a co-signer, but I'd put primary focus on employment history and bill paying habits as seen on credit report from when they were fully employed.

I am self-employed and take out large deductions, so using returns for income verification is a problem.Do I have any options to pull out equity from these properties, or do I have to turn to hard money to fund this flip?

Because he had a mortgage of $6k/mth and a car note of $2k/mth...in addition to his other household expenses. 

Potential new payment on additional Versa for myself would be $175 for 3 years (total guess)Is it beneficial to try and trade this thing in on another 2015 Nissan and end up with owing $6000 or so and have a much smaller, shorter payment?

I'm interested in picking up some additional properties.