Not sure if you are the lender or the buyer, but I've also heard/seen several buyers who have paid off the contract for deed, but can no longer find the seller to provide the release. 

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Work with a lender that does this day in and day out.

I have dallas investors who invest here because they can get urban core deals within 1 mile of downtown in adjacent neighborhoods and land is 50k for an infill lot here in columbus compared to idk what it is in dallas 

Usually have to add the lender as well 

It does not always make sense to have the note recorded on title as it can cause other complications down the road, but that also means much less protection for the lender so it really depends on the circumstances. 

Many of the property managers talk to each other and compare notes and share marketing ideas and 'run comps' on each other.The other option would be the 'enemy method' to search for similar size home within your community and others close by with similar amenities and scour their calendars. 

Technically, not all lender would approve a DSCR loan for someone who has not owned their primary but there are some lenders who do lend to FTHB a DSCR loan.

.- I'm happy to share my contractor, lender (conventional, construction, or hard money), property manager, etc. contacts if you do choose to continue investing in WA.

I recently came across this "FHA construction to permanent Loan" option which seems almost too good to be true, so I wanted to get some input on how this works and where I might be able to find a lender.