If I only had the money back that I spent on alcohol when I was enlIsted and a junIor offIcer!

Was this from an office exam or was this via mail? 

For qualification they include usually minimum payments on credit cards etc not the principal.If you're really low income, maybe it's better to find a lender who does "stated income" but there need to be proof: bank statement etc.I'd try another loan officer, maybe mortgage broker who would search for different options.Take a look at the topics here: there were explanations how Rental income would count and @Chris Mason even referred the source where to get the info first hand

We have done houses and cash for office.

There is a big caveat to that though, which is that (1) I haven't entered into any LPs myself, and (2) the clients I work with are large real estate investors not using conventional bank financing.However, I did make loans to LPs as a bank officer prior to practicing law.

Can you go to the local city office and ask about the invoices?

You will need to contact your local buildings department office for those answers. 

I intend to bill water back to tenants later on to increase revenue for about $600/mo.

Is Brad someone from an office local to you, though?

So the price may drop but it will be a result of the RE not being able to generate the same revenue as was attainable as an STR.I suspect we will monitor the price of beach property and if a beach front property in Leucadia area drops in price enough we may purchase it.