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. 

I downloaded all the moving in pictures from the Rental agency, but there are no close-ups of the floorings.

I would contact the state licensing agency and file a complaint.

Oh I wouldn’t even approach them until well after they have discharged from the agency and even then it would probably be through direct mail, instead of a personal phone call.

More accurately if there are 3 possible interpretations, assume an Agency mortgage lender is going to take the least advantageous (for you) and most conservative (for them) interpretation. 

In the process of subdividing the lot….the govt agency approving it will Require the mtg holder of record to sign off/agree, since they are taking away part of their security.  

Depends on the state and what the licencing agencies allow.Not all agents request retainer fees.It really depends on the agent's demand.

I think the actual industry term for these are Agency (conforming) and Non-Agency (non-conforming) loans.I think the title switch scenario would be low risk in a declining interest rate environment because the lender wouldn't want to call the loan and then have to lend out the funds at lower rates.