I know, it's painful, but there are a lot  more expensive hard money lenders out there and at least you get your foot in the door.  

@Brian Burke @Joel Block(?)

You'll have some procedural rules you'll have to adhere to and one more form to file in that tax year but other than that it's a question of how much tax it takes to move you from gritting your teeth to screaming in pain!

If you use retaining wall block the first course takes the longest as you need to get it level.

The "lessons learned" are so valuable to share (and lots of us feel your pain from similar lessons). 

When you speak of lower level drain flowing but not the upper level, I get a bit baffled because the vent through the roof would possibly be blocked for the lower level - so maybe that is the reason the lower level drains slowly???

That is the biggest stumbling block I have at this point. 

This is not sustainable all day, unless you want it to be.You can build 6-7 of these blocks into your workday, IF that’s all you do.This won’t account for any interruptions or emergencies, which are always bound to come up.If you make it a goal to have 2-3 of these periods every day, you’ll find you get 3-5 times accomplished what any of your peers do.It’s the intense focus and concentration on one area or task that gets you to the finish line.Keep rockin’.

Drive a few blocks in all directions from the property and scope out the neighborhood. 

@Sam Erickson: I feel your pain.