Are there any recommendations out there for which platform or skip trace provider has the best data?

There's loan programs that exist that provide the rehab capital needed to fix up the house but access to those funds are at an "after the fact" discretion. 

Although I will continue to research on it and follow the accounts provided in this thread.

In essence, the best advice I can provide is know, understand .and respect the community you are serving and will go very far in this business.   

Also, there are a variety of strategies under the lease option umbrella, and this diversity gives you a greater chance of providing the seller with what they need to do the deal.

You'll provide Chinese Hand Fans to the tenants at signing? 

GREAT IDEA (Sarcasm)As Gabe pointed out, with some saving discipline that positive cash flow can provide down payment when we get a softer market.

Providence maybe?

BP is the best platform to learn and gather connections.

an example might be a 3 story brick building that could be replaced with a 3 story frame construction building at a lower building cost but still provide the same function.You should be revising the values based on the way your policy is written above.