Are there collection agencies that specialize in this sort of thing?

If you want to use Agency Debt (Freddie / Fannie) to have the best terms, you will not be able to do what you say. 

Move on to DSCR loans once you max out qualification/eligibility on conventional financing (or as @Eliott Elias says, even if you just get tired of the endless documentation and gov-backed agencies making things complicated!)

I am Agent with an Independent Agency so my preference is naturally that form of Insurance distribution. 

But I get the point that BiggerPocket is not the right place to source discounted agency service, so I wouldn’t go further. 

Some credit agencies suggest that the strongest candidate should have his credit pulled first (really?)

Our clean and sober home has been on the market for 2 months and we aren't getting any inquiries on the listing or from outreach to area agencies. 

If you fight it you have to fight it with litigation and that will cost you big money and you can still lose.I would “consult” with an attorney and see if there is any negotiation room in the fine, otherwise you are up against an agency with almost unlimited resources.It’s an expensive lesson indeed.

How can I analyze the future potential for a buy and hold in a depressed area that is getting a massive build-out/influx of money from a government project (national geospatial agency campus)? 

We are working with several agencies in our multifamily properties and are having good success.