Any brilliant ideas on how to get in with a credit union when I live thousands of miles away? 

@Ned Carey I see, Initially I went with my local credit union for the pre approval and found out they had a minimum loan amount where the closing costs could not exceed either 5-7% of the loan value but the person I was in contact with mentioned the pre approval was good for 3 months which now I see that can differ from a hard credit inquiry through another lender I searched for with no minimum. 

Philadelphia federal credit union.

On my rental property i am getting an in house loan with a local credit union with a 30 yr term, and no balloon, or adjustable rate. 

I tell people to start with pre-qualification at a credit union so you can see what you can afford.

@Jake LangleyHey jake, I had good luck with Clark county credit union when I needed a pair of cash out refi’s they were able to get me 75%. and that was on a pair of rentals at the same time. 

Another credit union was willing to do a 20 yr term fixed for a primary home but they wanted to do all kinds of inspections.

I've found the best terms by calling all the smaller banks and credit unions in the area.

Talk to Emil Izrailov at Lake Michigan Credit Union (in Farmington Hills)

I would also try local community banks or credit unions.