Has anyone ever been successful in this? 

If you have certain skill set but lack the other, are you confident enough in yourself in terms of motivation, learning capability to learn the new skills you need to become successful in the field you want to be? 

The person subleasing usually is a person that would not be able to qualify for the unit through the normal process.

@Adam Mills how does the manual review process work?  

Sydney,The type of planning you are considering is often a team process. 

HI- I have seen the most success with a triplex or quadplex where you live in one unit and rent the others.

The one I used was the University of Michigan Credit Union.The loan to value is lower on investment property but if you have a strong equity position it makes sense.Then, the blended rate between your HELOC and primary loan is still better than the rate on a cash out refinance.Plus, the HELOC is flexible and can be used over and over if you pay it down and you have no payments until you use it.Dry powder waiting for the right opportunity.To Your Success!

In the future, you should always start the eviction process as early as the law allows.

It took them a couple weeks to process the money or whatever they do when they first get the money.

Coaching will definitely help you expedite your process assuming you are putting everything your learning into play.