We frequently have properties offered to us off market in the $250k-$750k range but finding decent lenders or investors is a slight challenge. 

"unable to provide proof of income documents" ect. the application fee is non refundable . . if you have further questions, email here.Overall, I think you should develop a screening process.

Also finding out that you might as well not waste your time calling hard money lenders when starting out because they want to see a couple properties you currently have.

.- It's not lost on me that my parents acted as a lender, and that a lender would never pay someone's taxes.

Notably, short-term rentals are categorized as non-residential properties.

One of the things you can do is reach out to a few banks/lenders and have them add you to their list of "Approved Builders" just make sure you have the time and crew because it can get busy fast.

If the buyer got a loan from a traditional lender to get to the 75k number, would that automatically put me in a second position on my seller financed note?

This investor let me know that since I have a track record of buying 3 properties, that the hard money lender will give the investor a better rate and add less points if I help.

DSCR loans are a great option for anyone that doesn't fit the conventional "box" - DTI isn't a factor, no employment info needed, no W2s, paystubs, tax returns, 1099s, etc. needed, you can close in an LLC if you want to and many lenders don't report to personal credit, so those loans won't affect your credit score/DTI for any conventional financing you might pursue in the future.

I strongly suspect your best move is to roll the TSP to a Traditional IRA and convert the IRA to a Roth, using non-retirement dollars to pay the income tax, even if you have to borrow the tax liability.