My credit is shot (currently working on it but it'll be a while) and have only a little over $5k.  

@Daniel Byrd, one less thing to worry about, find out everything about the tenant, all documentation should be available to you including the proformas, including tenants credit report and payment history, if they cant provide the docs, move on.

Spend less than you make and the extra will accumulate.Get a second job.Cut expenses.Sell stuff.Borrow - personal loan, credit cards, HELOC or cash out refi on a property you already own, 401k loanfriends and family

In fact, given solid credit and a decent loan size you can even tap up to 50% of the appraised value to cover closing costs.   

His end goal is to refinance with a conventional loan but he wants to wait another 6 months after his credit score improves from his current 650 credit score to receive a better interest rate.

An investment agency offers to be an intermediary between a buyer, seller and a bank and to manage the entire process, including finding the best deal for the customer, obtaining the credit in customers name and managing the property once it is rented.

Tell them ahead of time the credit and income requirements.

Hi,A friend of mine who has no credit, but is otherwise very responsible, has requested me to buy a house for her family so she can rent from me. 

Forget about credit scores or credit history.

But I found two credit unions that were willing.