The banks see this as a safety in some way and a track record of reliable income .

We bank and have insurance with USAA.

The general idea is the bank will loan you extra money to cover the cost of repairs,  this is typically only done with commercial loans and they usually escrow the money and release it to you as you complete the repairsBy way of example say you buy a 500K house that need 100K in repairs. 

My price range is 0 to 55,000 which i will most likely use traditional bank financing.

Reps from the bank recently stopped by and said that because of the default on payments it would be going into foreclosure, but I know this process can be a lengthy one.

Getting mortgages with local US banks as a foreign investor4.

If we can't make the numbers work for the bank my parents have agreed to guarantee a mortgage/HELOC, etc.

They don't anticipate paying out on a claim so the extra money makes you feel good while fattening their bank account.Let's say you have ten rentals with an average roof age of 15 years.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice for someone looking for a hard money lender or a bank that'll fund my first flip with me.

My recommendation would be Arizona Bank & Trust.