Another solution is to drop it all together, but it is a good property, so I don't want to do that without exhausting all my options.

It seems unfair but they are trying to encourage home ownership rather than an investor buying the property. 

I want to create a business - I seek to be more of an entrepreneur than an investor. 

If you're builder you probably have a lower cost structure than an investor hiring a contractor.

Assuming you understand the client’s motivation and you provide him the solutions required for HIM to overcome his problems, objection handing is nothing more than an exercise is restating the obvious: He’s got a problem; you’ve got the solution, and now he has to make a decision.

"A cash offer from an investor or non-profit organization to purchase an REO property shall not be considered a better offer if the offer is the same or a lesser amount than an offer by an owner-occupant who is purchasing the property with cash or with financing."

@Chris ArmstrongHave you considered the solo 401k as it is often times more advantageous than an IRA?

I'm more interested in cash on cash return than an absolute number.

But you may need the help of another investor and it may cost you more than an agent would cost, but an agent is only going to be certain that the paperwork is all correct.

Most likely, I'll just disappear once I realize I can't get rich overnight, leaving you exhausted and irritated.