I looked at the HOA fee, and it was only like $280 a month, much too low to maintain that building. 

Then add in all the fees that are being added by AirBnB, VRBO, etc. and hotels are in many cases a better deal . . . less surprise fees and fewer owners that have odd rules. 

Perhaps the cable company charges a small fee and can do it themselves?

Hey my family is very wealthy we have done great for the last 3 generations I was never poor but i understand how to make money in real estate and for a fee happy to help ..

Also considering you are paying lender fees, it could be costing you more. 

I struggle with just sitting by and waiting (especially knowing the fees rack up for my tenants the longer they go without paying!).

So it's another of the "send us our fees upfront" scammers?

Or a consulting fee? 

Happy to discuss your project if you get licensed and want some help with it.

I can't comment on if there was discrimination or not in your case as I wasn't involved, but the above requirements would be in place if Jeff Bezos called me for a loan to develop a new Amazon Warehouse and was willing to personally guarantee it and pledge his personal mansion and pay triple the normal mortgage broker fee.