they're not magic.are you going to in-person / informal meetups? 

Conventional would allow you to add a fence or do yard work in your bid.I cannot lend to you personally in MA but happy to answer any general questions about the 203k or other Renovation loan programs!

I personally do not have experience managing rentals.

Living in one unit and renting out the others allows you to deduct 75% of expenses like mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, and shared repairs as rental expenses, while the remaining 25% applies to personal use.

Quote from @John Friendas: As a person with an average salary, I was wondering what the maximum amount of DSCR loans a lender would give out would look like?

Lots of loan options can close in an LLC, helocs usually need to close in your personal name.

I personally will try to avoid buying a home under 1000 square feet again.

I would be fine with a $10k non-refundable retainer and $500/hr. personally.

Curious to have some conversations with similarly-minded folks. 

I am not a huge fan of them personally as they are PE investors and have a very, very narrow view of the industry and how it should be approached.