If it helps you get your next deal, I don't think looking and considering it necessarily hurts you.I have a couple great lenders that I work with both personally and professionally who specialize in working with lenders. 

First things to go is my credit card and car loan.

Check credit, past landlords, work history, and even OSCN, (Court records) here in Tulsa.

Any tips on who you use to keep an eye on monthly credit scores ?

I work in Philadelphia and Delaware County as a Licensed agent that specializes in wholesale for REI opportunities.

In terms of financing, I'ver heard small local banks and credit unions are the best to find flexible options?

Not that they are special I just like them.

In short, you can not to my knowledge do these at 'the big firms' - you need to use a specialized provider.

Hey, there was a guy I just used ... allowed me to pull 50% out of a paid off property ... no income verification and credit qualification ... though they did pull my credit. 

Given the pricing is the same, use the list below to eliminate the policies that do not include as many of these coverages/forms.1)  To limit your 95% of your financial risk, I would start with the following - $1M Liability, Replacement Cost, Agreed Value, Special Form, and Loss of rents.2) Secondary coverages you may want to consider if your building is susceptible to these risks, Building Law and Ordinance, Sewer Back up, Contents coverage, Flood.