Prove your work ethic, and opportunities will come.6.Enjoy the process.

For the first townhome, we are in the renovation process and looking to screen our first tenants.

Maybe you have to have a little thought process too.   

Unless you've done substantial improvements to the building or used a large down payment when buying, it's unlikely this will work.Perhaps your best move is to find a new primary residence that is 2-4 units and repeat the process.

When I have inherited tenants, I have been most successful when I have provided longer non-renewal notices, like 60-90 days, and offered to assist with moving costs.

- Are there other lenders you’d recommend for refinancing rental properties that might have a smoother process or better terms?

The process has been difficult and stressful and we almost gave up a few times. 

We have only 2 criteria for the order we process applications: 1) nearest move in to the date unit is available to be rented 2) order that the completed applications are received.If we had a unit for rent that would be rent ready Jan 15 and have multiple applications, the application processed first is the one who can move in the fewest days after Jan 15.  

Quote from @Torrean Edwards: Early in my investing career, I had some success, but then the crash happened.

You'll definitely need more time to get things processed.