The inspector was also an a-hole so that didn't help..On a good note, we finally listed the house last week and have accepted an offer which will net us about 80k.I hope this can help someone who is going through something similar, or deciding whether or not to get permits. 

Is there another similar service that offers a full background check including criminal?

I am excited to connect with people who have similar goals and also to start building up a team of professionals for various investing and landlord needs.

@Dean Ingraham,I own 3 quads in a similar development. 

If you were to go for outside management, it would be similar price, with the possibility of more issues because they aren't in house.

We are analyzing a purchase near Vista and our partner on this effort looked up the following:1. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14292365: Small studio rental in same area; historic converted carriage / barn = $100/night with 14 nights booked so far in May = $1400 for month2. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/9351161: 2bd/1ba guesthouse same area; non-historic and bland = ~$95/night with 24 nights booked so far in May = $2280 for month3. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17674810: 1bd/1ba same area; non-historic but well designed = ~$90/night with 19 nights booked so far in June = $1710 for monthYou probably would want to do more similar analysis on Vista before proceeding with the STR route. 

3- Has anyone ever closed a similar deal?

@Chanh Tran I had a similar problem, low credit score due to high credit card debt from renovations.

Similar properties in the area are going for 70-80k.

We used an approach similar to the above while living in London having lived in New York/New Jersey.