Assuming they can get up $1K - $2K, I would let them move in around August 8th on a short term 2 to 3 week temporary rental basis, as they would like to start transitioning into the house while they get the full $5K up.

I have found off-shore VA to be kind of a waste of time, you wind up spending so much time explaining and managing that you could have done the job yourself.

Conventional wisdom says it has to but there is nothing conventional about this market.What I've seen happen is banks took the "Bailout Tarp money" and shored up there books.

Most of my guests are relocating to Austin and need temporary housing.

All i wanted to do is get the house. 2 years later i finally refiananced into a reasonable interest rate.Hard money is a great temporary exit strategy and should be used as a last alternative.

Its also the best for appreciation, thus most forgiving of out of town investor mistakes.South Shore is a mixed bag: houses, condos, and apartment complexes.

To narrow down my question, I guess: Are there any temporary sources of funds, other than private money, that could be used for cash purchases?  

Here's my location test: If I had a temporary reason to move out of my house (hurricane blows off roof, fire damage, etc.) would I be comfortable moving my family into this property/neighborhood on a temporary basis, if it were vacant at the time I had that emergency? 

SELLER CONCESSIONSSeller concessions include, but are not limited to, the following:Payment of the buyer’s VA funding feePrepayment of the buyer’s property taxes and insuranceGifts such as a television set or microwave ovenPayment of extra points to provide permanent interest rate buydownsProvision of escrowed funds to provide temporary interest rate buydowns,Payoff of credit balances or judgments on behalf of the buyerSeller concessions do not include payment of the buyer’s closing costs or payment of points as appropriate to the market.Any seller concession or combination of concessions which exceeds 4% of the established reasonable value of the property is considered excessive, and unacceptable for VA guaranteed loans. 

Upon returning we saw that our new friends had been back as we saw cinder blocks stacked under a window.All AC units had been secured with boards across the fronts and they were thwarted.After the first break in, I saw there was a temporary security system (Simplisafe) but I figured the cop was right and we would not be hit again.