I would recommend building up at least a 720 or 750 or 800 FICO for freeas soon as possible so that you can open the most financing doorsanytime during this project and beyond.Another option if you are bootstrapping is to use bank bonusesto get free cash and start a LLC to build business creditthat can help you get much higher limitsat places like Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.Google any of the following for free help:Bank/Credit Card Cash BonusesCreditBoards business creditCreditKarma free credit reportsHome Depot/Lowe's business credit card

If I only I knew what the heck I was doing....Nonetheless,  I am being offered a $0 down mortgage - rather aggressively by my bank.  

You don't have to use bank mortgage boilerplate.Best advice is consult an attorney in doing anything creative.

Hello BP,Had a question if you use HML to buy a flip in your LLC, and decide to keep if for yourself later, can you buy from yoIr LLC with traditional bank loan?

My thought would be to explain you have decided not to rent the unit at this time. 

I talked to one broker and 1 bank so far and they both feel there is going to be a problem finding comps to give me the financing for it. 

If you go with a smaller bank that does their own underwriting maybe they would take that into consideration against the DTI.

Becoming a private money lender offers an excellent return on your investment.It Takes Money to Make MoneyWhen you are a private money lender, you are acting as if you are a bank.

So my strategy would be to get a 70%LTV loan and mortgage from a bank and find maybe 1-3 debt investors to finance the rest.

I am wondering how it might be possible to purchase a non-performing note directly from a lender, in this case it's Chase Bank.