Go to the common bidding sites and call all the REO brokers in your area... line up some hard money to finance the acquisition & rehab.

@Josh Beller   This seems to be very common in my experience. 

Finding some father figure to hold your hand for free isn't a common route to success.  

I run my short-term rental business out of my personal house under my LLC, which I drew up a lease between that creates an agreement to pay for utilities, internet and common household products I need to function my business in exchange for the property.

I signed addendum to transfer deposit to new title but it was a scam- intending to extend contract- he told me he was worried about losing money, disappointing family, etc.

I never trust tenants to give me good info on previous LL's after I escaped a scam someone tried to run on me.), etc.

Quick note about the surrounding Baltimore area - there are plenty of ways to househack, however multifamily is not as common in our area than in others (as often discussed in BP books, podcasts, and forums). 

Tony,In the case you described, the two types of policies most commonly used are:1.

Not seen common electricity?

Landlords who do not want that are because they do not want tenants to start storing things in the basement and start making it their common use.