As of now the preference is for medical office space but professional office, industrial, and retail uses will also be strongly considered.  

Credit Scoring is industry specific and you can get your real score until you apply to actual lenders.

This property is destined to likely be a rental and priced accordingly.

Now its about putting a plan together to reach the destination.

I am new to the real estate industry as well as new to the area.

However just because this is common the banking industry and as a practical matter, we have to deal with in the best way we can.

Word of advice, the people who you will see asking similar repetitive broad questions never stick around in this industry.

as others have stated.. what you will find out is the deals just don't quite make their criteria so they never fund and never refund.... can't say never but there is a company on BP hardmoney lenders pageCalled dohardmoney they promise 100% funding for newbies  you just have to buy their course for 3k.. and its about a 800 a file submission with no gurantee of funding.so feedback from a few is they actually landed a loan.. and then the rates are sky high  Highest in the industry. 

From the visits and research it seems as though Helen/Sautee area are more of a tourist destination and rents seem higher.  

He has been in that side of the industry for some time, and if he can't issue the loan he can get Tu to a reputable source that can.