I think the easiest answer is to work on your credit and increase your income to qualify traditionally.

No distress, no repairs needed—just a seller with a problem that couldn’t be solved through the traditional listing process.

You want a DSCR or an investment loan from a traditional bank.

I paid for the renovation costs out of pocket over time and finally got it to a point where it passes inspection for FHA/Traditional lenders.  

It is my understanding that it isn't like traditional loans like mortgages based on personal debt to income ratios but more about the properties income potential?

Yes. build to rent in urban core adjacent neighborhoods. traditionally in our market in Columbus Ohio existing inventory was good 2014-2020. as prices rose, the cost to build started to match existing inventory prices because of supply shortage, especially for 2-4 multiunit dwellings. around that time we started to look at new construction and land. we found that land is a 12 month or more supply in our market which makes it a buyers market and you can design any structure you want in new construction. if you like a layout or floorplan all you have to do is design it. after that we looked at the right unit mix and Floorplans and layouts. we started looking at high rent per square foot layouts that were better than single family.

It’s a powerful tool for diversifying your retirement portfolio beyond traditional stocks and bonds.

A few differences than just a traditional cash out refinance but if it's helpful to look at that feel free to reach out.

I don't disagree with a lot of your sentiments but the numbers don't work on duplexes in our market anymore like a traditional duplex where people want to house hack so in my opinion a triplex is the best. it also allows you to have highest asset value possible. in terms of our single family spec homes compared to our spec triplexes the triplex build to rent have the most interest.  

Did you go the traditional route with conventional financing, leverage seller financing, use creative deal structures like subject-to, or something else entirely?