In the past I saw Quest & IRA Services Trust Co. recommended.

I've personally never seen or heard of a large servicer sell a one off note.

So I would therefore need to purchase a house worth more than $70,000 using the $20,000-25,000 as the down payment and reserves for the purchase. 

I got an investment/secondary home HELOC from Vectra Bank but their customer service and overall experience is trash.

Preapproval is generally free; lenders typically do not charge for the service. 

I know of a great HVAC and Electrical company they serve Charlotte and all surrounding areas They are EcoGreen Home Services The phone number is 704-237-4100 and they have a website www.ecogreenhomeservices.com 

I think if you intend to engage the services of the real estate agent later in the transaction - in other words, there is an assumption of payment - it would be fine to reach out for comps.

Its $800 for the entry level ticket and closer to $3000 for the “VIP” level service.

Then saving the extra money for an emergency fund as well as your next down payment is much more important.Also when you go to get the second mortgage the bank is going to care more about you having reserves (more cash or assets that you can easily make liquid) than seeing you have paid down you mortgage some.  

This tax is a rent grab- an attempt for the city to increase revenue without providing any public service or accountability for the use of the funds.