Fast forward to September now, my wife and I got pre-qualified and started looking at properties again.

And then I saw them...I asked to see properties pre-flip, mid-flip, post-flip, and post-tenant/vacated. 

And it has a high pre-payment penalty on it.  

Professionals with decades of experience and very impressive track records do all the heavy lifting for you.

I'm a commercial general contractor by profession and I'm looking to employ my skills and expertise in the fix/flip market.

If you have or want to start with financing get a pre-approved loan letter that states how soon they can close and your maximum amount you can borrow from them.Know the market you select well and it's best locations.  

Check out the zoning & permit ordinances of tiny homes & see if you can build one or buy a pre-made modular for your backyard.

I have already been pre appproved for a conventional homestlye loan and started looking for a property.

Much of the Tenant-Buyer pre-screening can be farmed out to VAs who you pay to answer the phone (Google Voice, Vumber, etc.) that you set up to receive calls from your marketing. 

your statement was correct pre 08 but not post 08.In many ways with many HML getting a loan will require the exact same qualifications as getting a loan from a bank.. tax returns credit income and experince.. the place for the HML is simply banks DO NOT do rehab loans.. so this has allowed the HML to firm up the requirements.