Well, maybe California....but I'm too poor for that.

GC is super simple  .the great thing about developers is no test no school just need good enough credit to get a bond and insurance.( which of course keeps many out of the game )))

If you don't have the receipts but used a credit or debit card the company/ store you bought the materials from should be able to look up the receipt for you.  

Regardless, I'm looking for a mentor without taking thousands from my credit card or tapping into my HELCO. 

I'd look into some 0% APR for the first 18 months Credit Cards but it sounds like the amount of money you're looking for is too small for most hard money lenders to want to get involved with.  

We cant qualify for anymore credit.

If your DTI is still off, you can go the commercial route, where they loan based on the asset and your credit.

A successful short-sale typically benefits the borrower (homeowner) in the following ways: it can give them more time in the house (and payment-free); it is better than a foreclosure from a credit report perspective and wold allow him to obtain a new purchase loan for a new home in the future more quickly as compared to having it go through foreclosure.I would encourage you both to reach out to a local realtor with short-sale experience and have them facilitate the transaction, it would not cost you or the owner the commission as it would be paid out of the bank's proceeds.No, in a short-sale I would definitely not offer any payments to him directly that are not known and approved by the bank, you can get yourself in hot water and probably legal trouble by doing that on a short sale.

You do not want tenants to pay these bills as your property can go up for auction, liens ruining your credit.

Bad credit precludes lenders that you suggest..