I can count on one hand the number of times I've done it, it's a VERY niche combination that I stumbled upon. 

Does that count as a gift with Fannie Mae?

Here is the scenario:Option Price: $400 (non-refundable)Rent: $400 / mo.Tenant's purchase price: $8000What I'm unclear on is whether or not the rent can count towards the purchase price...that's financing, right?...

That's what counts.

I'm not counting on that, but it most definitely worth a try!!

I understand the basics that Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance (PITI) all count as debt.  

For all of 2015, however, the building remained vacant.I'm wondering if I can count the depreciation expenses from 2015 in that year, and if not, can they be carried over to 2016?

HI Zach,If his income is DTI challenged then there are asset utilization options that would allow banks to count some of this other assets as income to help this scenario beyond what you currently have as "income."

If you cannot close at least $200k worth of deals per year then it certainly will not be worth it unless you are counting it as an education expense. 

Possible reasons why the BP stopped responding is frustration with the borrower, change of circumstances, a lender who is actually a broker, found a better, more profitable client to work with, etc.I can't count the number of times borrowers waste time then disappear, without any consideration or respect of the lender or broker.