When you finance through national lenders, in your experience, is a balloon a common requirement for commercial loans of this nature or is it possible to get a fixed rate for 30 years?  

I used the background and credit checks offered through Cozy. 

A friend of mine bought some houses from them that he thought were occupied and running smoothly because rent checks always came through on time.

To qualify for non-recourse commercial loans through Fanny and Freddy you have to have equal new worth to the loan amount and 10% liquidity. 

Initially my thought process was having them fill out an application through Zillow before touring the property, but I could see how that can turn people off to come to the showing.

Spreading funds across 2-3 properties could provide diversification and steady cash flow.

Because I haven't been confident on my calculations for ARV & Rehab or How exactly to fill out a contract going about things the CORRECT way. if interested in working together, or even mentoring, giving some advice, or walking me through my first deal would me supper helpful and is very appreciated.

Yep @Trent Reeve, I think I'll get one just like that, but through Amazon.

IF you plan on going back someday, and this is the home you want to move back to, then renting it would be a good idea as long as you estimate that it will cover itself, or preferably, cash flow, which it appears that yours will at @ $2K or so per month (after expenses). 

Other KPIs and considerations you should evaluate when talking to any lender who offered private placement of loans/notes are historic default rate, how quickly they can place your funds (do you get preference over their income funds, for example), average interest rate - borrower note rate and what is passed through to you, are loans serviced by a 3rd party servicer or in house.