Id start make calls to 3 or 4 contractors and ask questions, look for reviews online and let me them know what your trying to do.  

As well as Investors, there's these weird group of Buyers out there called Owner-Occupiers.

They already mis-informed you once on rentals and when you called them out, this is what happens?

I lived there for 2 years and now I've moved and I still have a $575/month mortgage but I have 5 people in there (one of the non-bedrooms I put a stand-alone closet in and call it a 5th bedroom) paying $1150 per month.  

I called and left a VM for you so just give me a ring when you get a chance.

We saw some small crack in the walls of a house we are interested in, but regular home inspection doesn't call out any red flags.

Hey Michael, there is actually a category on the MLS called "DOM" (Days on Market).

Disclaimer: I'm not a legal professional, however if a party attempts to make a claim on a property who's name wasn't originally on tittle when mortgage was originated is a legal term called "unjust enrichment".

It's given me a great 6 month runway to save like crazy, get settled in my new job and spend lots of time learning about real estate and talking with every landlord who will take my call. 

I've read some people are accepting debit or credit cards but this seems risky as well since they can call their bank to dispute the charge.