I would have paid another experienced local investor (an unbiased party not having anything to do with the sale of the home or selling me services) to do a thorough video tour of every inch of the house before submitting an offer. 

Again, understand the local ordinances. 

I found a local property management company that offers a "lease only service" meaning that they will take pics, market/list the property for rent, handle showings, screenings, and paperwork to onboard the tenant and then hand it over to me to manage.

I am on the board of CFRI, the local REIA here in Orlando and we have many private lenders that I could introduce you to, everyone wants their money working for them.

Our goal is to move to a smaller town with a university branch and purchase 4 plex or duplex investments for student rentals, and this is one type of investments we are interested in because we will be local.

You could certainly "be in the right" regarding getting screwed over by the builder but this is a situation that is going to be very very risk for a hard money lender - typically stay away from unfinished rehabs/builds due to running out of money.Your best bet I would say is to find a local private money partner (maybe as more of an equity investor) or to try to finish one first and then re-evaluate, instead of trying to borrow for rehab on both

Within the last year and half I have had three brand new water heaters corrode and start leaking at the bottom.All water heaters have been in the same spot at the same address installed by a professional plumber.

Send him written notice (in compliance with your local laws) that you'll not be renewing his lease now so that he has plenty of time to find a new place.

I am digging in to all the great info, here on BP, through books and locally as well! 

Katlynn,This is where connecting with a local REI group in your area might be able to help.