Can I just apply for a EIN # using my name and my SSN # to get a business bank account and business credit card?

And about 35,000 of that was on a credit card..

I've started looking at various properties in my potential areas (although I am a long distance first time investor), and I finally had the conversation to iron out some of the finer points of the financing with my father.He is an experienced, if not terribly savvy investor.

I've come to learn that they have about 15-20k in appreciation that they want to take advantage of in order to pay off some credit card debt.

I've recently talked to about a dozen local banks and credit unions, and it was difficult to find one that offered a LOC on an investment property. 

For extra credit, you should refer them to a great listing agent and make the introduction!

Am I missing something here or is this just a terrible deal at this purchase price?

But alive and well many places such as banks, credit unions, etc and it does not benefit the consumer overall. 

I don't have very good credit, but recently I sold my house and have a little over 200k in the bank. 

A real fixer in an area like that might be cheap enough for you to buy in cash and then use whatever short term credit lines you have available to complete the rehab.