2) Is it possible to structure this deal different so i don't have to get traditional financing?

At that point you would have three items 1) your adjusted basis 2) your depreciation recapture (25% tax IIRC) 3) your gain (taxed at 15-20% IIRC).Your basis throughout the years will change as you decrease it by taking depreciation, and increase it when you perform improvements which will then be depreciated.

@Colleen F.has posted some items to consider with respect to consideration for the occupants. 

Each year, after I purchase a property, I have to re-look up how to treat the various items from the HUD-1 (closing statement) when preparing my Schedule E.

QuickBooks Pro has a Fixed Asset Items List, which allows you to enter in everything you want to know about your rental property.QuickBooks has been around a long time, is in the stores just about everywhere, and is sold at reasonable price, plus it grows with you.Nancy Neville

These items are what keeping me from using it exclusively on my iPhone.

For fix and flips, I would assume you would need to be around the same rate as a traditional HML, unless you are willing to adjust your risk outside of what they offer. 

I've lost 2 great investment opportunities because the traditional financing process has been so slow 

My lender says that I should keep $5k on hand for other closing items...second appraisals and such.

@Dawn Young I've never done this but understand that the mobile home has to be converted from personal property to real property before a traditional lender will make a loan like this.