HUD allows a 15 day period to initiate utilities at eh buyer's expense IF the FSM allows the utilities to be turned on based on their previous inspections. 

I'm thinking rent it out (I have renters that can move in mid February) and wait out the 6 month seasoning period for a cash back refinance.

I guess the part that makes it longer is the first look period in which only owner occupants can bid.

And during the purchase, you can always back out during your due diligence period if a red flag pops up during inspections.

- Owner-occupied single-family homes are only TRULY assets if you can add significant value in a short period of time. - Your wife will get sick of living in a construction zone very quickly- The amount of work you get done in the first month will be about as much work as you get done in the next 11, the fun wears off...- In the end, financially worth it and the satisfaction of having completed it is priceless.

Another "out" allowed for the buyer is during the inspection period, but the inspection out is not a guaranteed out since the seller may agree to all inspection repair requests to keep the contract alive.

If he goes past the grace period in Feb once again post the eviction this time immediately.

Credit history for a two-year period prior to this application will be evaluated.

I was born and raised in Tampa and I have worked in many areas of the real estate industry over a 30+ year period.

Most refinance loans I've seen have a seasoning period of 12 months at most, and sometimes it's as low as 4-6 months.