I currently work as an engineer and project manager in the healthcare industry.

If we duplex down and wanted to move out of the property in a few years, could we technically rent the first floor property as a 4 bed / 2 bath or would we still have to be careful about renting it because we combined the top floor into an illegal unit without permits? 

Recommend asking for several references and properties they have funded.Be careful as there are a lot of scams out there especially those wanting a lot of $ upfront

For all these reasons  @Rocky V. sub too in the wrong hands are about as dangerous a thing you can do.what you needed to do was a wrap with a notice of default provision in that you would have all the contact info and your 3p authorization up front before you closed so you couild remedy this.you will need to refi and pay bank off is what you will need to do.. or come up with cash or find a JV partner that will provide the KISH to take care of this.its usually the sellers that get screwed in these deals but buyers can too.. in the exact manner that is happening to you

I wear sweatpants and a t-shirt pretty much every day of my life, could care less about driving a fancy car.

Hey Account Closed,What ever became of this deal, did you buy and if so how did you take care of the mold?

Or have any tips in general for someone looking to wholesale in Northern VA? 

In any case appreciate the tip and any others folks can provide.  

With that said pick your neighborhoods carefully and understand that just because it's cheaper than Brooklyn it doesn't mean it's a good deal.  

If they saw the before and after, they would for sure prefer no bathtub but they of course don't care about before and after.