To be honest, I’m terrified of taking the first step and seem to be full of excuses.

Where the judge can honestly not know what happened on a phone conversation. 9 Pay or quit notices speak volumes. 

And honestly that's what makes REI so attractive, taking a simple concept like house hacking, and turning it into a creative investment.Consider living with roommates(as many as you can), in order to lower your cost of living, and therefore increasing your potential to stack some cash.

But in all honestly I feel thats a scary lender shooting themselves in the foot with crazy overlays I would just keep it moving and find another lender who will close the loan.

Not that anything is wrong with a 13 year old from Bangladesh being on the forums, but lets just be up front and honest from the beginning.I am not "in the box" kind of person.

But, if you are going to make this approach, be very honest in where you are in your journey and what you are hoping to achieve. 

They will be honest and tell you what the fix is.

Just thought I'd offer a different viewpoint.

I honestly didn’t want to miss out on an opportunity while waiting.

Honestly, the key document you would need is a solid operating agreement where you clearly define the articles (books,records and accounting, capital contributions, signatory authority, distributions etc.).