I don't now what your Lease says or what state you are in, but I'm thinking getting a new fresh Lease may be better.

If it can also speed up the appraisal process, that's an added bonus.I am always pleased when moves are made in field of real estate to increase equality of opportunity. this is a huge step backwards this is how they did things coming out of the GFC  very common for remote appraisers to pick up a bombed out house and your fresh rehab house got a very low appraisal.. 

Property had some nice updates, including granite counter tops, some newer appliances, some hardwood flooring, fresh paint, and tiling in the bathrooms and backsplash in the kitchens.

We were happy to let her walk away and start fresh.

Expansion of garden unit.

I.e. you might reach out to a local lender to talk in person with them about what they would do if they started fresh.

We're also working on building our credit, starting fresh takes time. 

When asked about it, they said they like keeping the house smelling fresh.

Hi Jessica,Mommy works part time (or goes on welfare), You work full time at a good paying waitress job, like olive garden, boyfriend gets better paying job, and also works part time at temp service on days and nights off.If he's really strong (in some cities) concrete finishers can get pretty good money (and in some cities they do not get paid well), but its very hard work.Whole family saves the 80 grand and adds to it with the extra work paychecks (buys nothing with the extra money) just saves it.Live frugal, (AND) Read Rich Dad Poor Dad.Do this for 2 years and re-asses your situation.Because in my opinion the chance of solving your situation without extra work money  coming is seems kind of slim.If you are on the knifes edge of homeless (with all of the bills and etc...), your best bet at digging out out seems to me to be working more and not spending more.Also known as saving up more money.Good Luck!

Few things: Do not touch the land because most lender want fresh untouched land.