Bank Hunting When You Are Already Loaded (a manner of speaking)

[Stephen McKnew Colonna]

Everyone has to start somewhere--thankfully, this is the place to which we were lead to find enduring freedom and sustainable wealth.  My partner and I want to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, renting ourselves out to someone else so they can have what we want.  That said, we are looking for a small (2-4 unit) multi-family property (buy and hold, rental) in the Austin, TX area.  We've been through the sacrifice and save drill--hence borrowing is a choice not a mandate.  But BP schools me that leverage is the way to go.  I went to my bank, Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU), but I think I can do better elsewhere.  NFCU limits investment properties to 15-year loans, 15% down, with the stipulation that I must do the deal on a house-hack basis.  I live in Korea where my current employment has me and my teenagers are in high school.  FINALLY THE QUESTIONS...

1.  If I were to use the bank terms summarized above but chose not to follow the house-hack rule, how likely is it that they would know? what would happen if they found out? is it worth the risk?

2.  Any recommendation of a good community in the Austin area in which to focus my search?  Perhaps someone in the BP community can recommend a reliable realtor, broker, etc?

3.  Lastly, is there a better financing choice with which any of you have had success without the limitations of NFCU?   

I know, new-comers have so many basic questions, but I am reading BP publications as fast as I can.  

Respectfully,

Steve C.