Their whole model relies on having a lower overhead and attracting large numbers of people to appease investors. 

everything around it same ,or lower......

The downside, of course, is that the VA loan has a few more restrictions which can limit properties you can purchase which require more renovation for a lower price.Aside from the agent and lawyer, I would advise having a solid home inspector, CPA, contractors (general, painter, plumbing, electric etc.) on your team. 

Yet no one seems interested in exploring those alternatives that would seem to less work or equipment, thus lower cost.

It's not hard- install aerators in sinks which don't have them(and install Water Sense faucets when replacing faucets, they'll use about 15% less water than regular faucets.)Then use low-flow shower heads(go for 1.75 gpm, anything lower will cause unhappy residents.)

Talk to a lender about refinancing they will be able to let you know what you qualify for, but you will probably be sacrificing a higher interest rate for lower overall payments.

or 75%, whichever is lower---- is wrong in delayed financing exception.Do you want to buy four houses and then stop?

I know the pain of going through the Best and Final rounds, certainly is stressful.

I originally was looking for the mythical 'structurally sound but killer deal because it has some broken windows and  hasn't been remodeled since the 1940s' type of place, but I've since lowered my standards to include properties with major foundation issues and the like.

the spread was usually 10% or so..But for sure if a deal is stressed because 6% money only works and 7 or 8% money throws it out then those are some really tight spreads to be working with.. and one would not want to be signing up for 3 to 5 year call notes.