Obtaining a $200K loan to cover the tax appears to carry a similar risk of a lien, potentially jeopardizing my mortgage approval.What would you advise in this situation?

They appear to be 19-23 years old... 

From what it looks like it's the same person who responds to your email at 3 in the morning and it appears that this person may be oversees, I could be wrong but that's what it appears to be.

It appears no. 

Their responses are articulated well, on point, appears to be from a person that has knowledge of their program, and are not point and click pre scripted responses.

Your irresistible offer appears to not have turned out so well either by your own admission and my advice is to help you and others reading this about the importance of knowing how and what to have in your contracts, how to properly vet buyers BEFORE you bring them a deal, etc. your situation is a great learning lesson for others and for yourself if you are willing to learn from your own mistakes.As to the assignment being legal or not, I am not 100% knowledgeable on NC laws, however, I have had several experienced investors tell me North C has similar laws regarding this process as does CA, FL, etc.

there are deals out there, less than there used to be but always something if you are patient and ready to jump when it appears. 

@Lisa Fortune it appears you are a "an asset based real estate lender" do you really not know the answer to this question??

Regarding Floor 3 leak, I am entertaining a full roof replacement but may Karnak myself first since that leak could not be reproduced on my test and appeared after a heavy rainfull. water ran along a joist. 

I was looking at these areas as well as they were cheaper than buying in Rockville and also appeared to have some decent homes.If getting the ADU would be tough in general and renting by the unit in those areas would also be challenging I may need to rethink my strategy.I am doing this as a first time MD homebuyer and looking at my options to rent a portion of the home.