I'm relatively new to this and am grateful for any advice from the forum. 

Costs will seem high relative to the loan amount on these smaller loans, $5-6k in lender fees isn't uncommon. 

If the loan amount you are looking for is small relative to the value of the first and the second property combined, they are very well secured on a LTV%; ask for a 1% point lower rate.If you don't want to Cross Collateralize, do you have any CD's or MM you can transfer to this bank as collateral. 

I'd look at the closing docs for something related to the pro-ration of expenses etc and see if you have anything there that could be a clause you point to for them to cover those payments. 

We had many mishaps and health problems to deal with.

In-person behavior can be grounds for rejection, would suggest documenting the behavior and related risk to further protect yourself.

Numbers 2 and 14 seem to fit - the others are related to inflation and a tech bubbleclick to enlarge2.

For example, for any lease-related activities (negotiating terms/pricing, signing lease, etc.) could I just have a real estate attorney on retainer to do these activities? 

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

I still watch them sometimes since every day, while eating lunch at work, I watch real estate-related videos on YouTube.