I do not understand your remark as related to the DSCR loan.  2 ADUs are not allowed by f/f conventional financing but is not always enforced.Fortunately if you stay with the current tenant without a refi, by the time you pay principle it is likely the rent will have increased enough to absorb the increase mortgage payment. 

I considered starting out house hacking a MF, but it will only increase my monthly expenses, not lower them or provide cash flow. 

The answer is clear: allowing full renovations without mandating sprinklers results in a far safer building than one that undergoes only superficial updates.Furthermore, requiring sprinklers in more buildings will likely increase costs even further.

My main aim of interest in real estate is to increase cash flow and overall build wealth that can replace my day job and give me more flexibility with my time.

Expand your network, educate potential investors, and leverage social media to increase your reach and influence.

Buyer preferences are shifting towards energy-efficient homes, smart home features, and open-concept designs, so incorporating these elements can increase appeal.

By doing this, not only are you increasing the value hopefully building you some equity (giving you some boost in your net worth) but also increase rental potential too. 

The property's appeal increased dramatically, attracting numerous potential buyers.

This allows us to increase our active cashflow to then cherry pick the long term holds we would like as well as work faster.

Some strategies to get around are:1. leverage your current portfolio and buy in cash, increase value, and then refi2. buy Multi-family so your ratios aren't the main factor to lenders3. get in with a lender for high net worth individuals4.