It seems an analyst role is the baseline entry position into CRE so I've been taking multiple courses and earning certifications in financial modeling (pro formas, equity waterfalls, development, etc). 

What I will do is give you an illustrative story, and maybe you can bring your knowledge up a little.Big Apartments LLC - a manager managed LLC with two members.Member #1 is You (Patrick), the Manager (and also a Member), you have put $500 into the LLC and own 50 Membership Units (a 50% owner).Member #2 is your brother in-law (lets call him Richard Smith) he is not the manager (although he could be a co-manager but is not because that's the way you two want it).Richard has also put $500 into the LLC and own 50 Membership Units (a 50% owner).You two guys are 50/50 owners of Big Apartments LLC, evidenced by your Membership Certificates (which look a little like old fashioned stock certificates but are not stock shares).The company has $1,000 in the kitty and since Richard won at Poker last night he's flush with cash, $1,000.You and Richard agree that he can lend the LLC $1,000 (that's in addition to his already put in $500).Since this is only a loan it does not effect his ownership percentage of the company.

HI I RECENTLY BOUGHT AN HOA FORECLOSURE, BUT I WAS NOY AWARE THERE WAS ANOTHER LIS PENDENS ON THE PROPERTY BY A FIRST MORTAGE, FOR NOW ONLY CERTIFICATE OF SALE HAS BEEN ISSUED, IS THERE SOMETHING I CAN DO TO REVERT IT BEFORE CERTIFICATE OF TITLE IS ISSUED??

I wouldn't consider your lack of certification or degree a limiting factor should you choose to go the IT route for your W2 income.

Hi Noel,I'm out west but born and raised in NYC, I would buy me a tax lien certificate. 

Does the property have a Certificate of Compliance?

However given so much that is up in the air with different family members and career changes, what are the true consequences of defaulting on an owner occupancy certification and who is the judge of what is a viable extenuating circumstance.

Grayson, A CO is a certificate of occupancy.

Perhaps almost as good is to obtain a graduate certificate in real estate from a recognized university.  

I know some of the issues as I worked for a CPA firm that specialized in LIHTC certifications & audits.