If so, I would love to take a look at what checklist you haveNote that I don't plan to have financing for any purchases, so there's no lender at play here to require such assessments

It sounds like one of the tricks they would play is to enforce a 2-person per bedroom for some applicants, but not others (why else would this rule be an issue with discrimination/HUD?).

That being said i would strongly recommend one for a couple of reasons.Until you have a solid understanding of the ins and outs, standard practices and the risk involved its always the smart play to enlist someone that does, also you will need a title company as well and most RE attorneys i deal with also take care of the tittle side of the house. 

Most people are on defense right now and playing be ear.

@Bob Lett it all depends on what your strategy is, and what your appetite for risk is.

My suggestion would be to not play games with tax authorities as you may find yourself in prison.

But once its rehabbed and the rents are at or above market rate, then a Traditional bank comes into play, but so does your DTI and various other factors.

Oh and if your painter is mad you didn’t give him the contract, find a woodworker to make a very very special and tiny violin for you to play for him!

As for it coming from the court house, I've only seen that coming into play if there are liens on the property coming from the city / code enforcement department.

Only a small percentage of people play with those snakes and actually come out ahead.