Buy this information was definitely vital and I really appreciate it. 

For example: my agent says he won't cut his commission but he will "loan" me a portion of his commission.   

The primary r sid nice exception only applies to the portion (25%) you occupied. 

I want to pay cash and refi after reno and filling with a tenant and would like to find a lender now that can help me with the refi portion.

I ask because although I've read that you can have success here and there with the MLS, it just seems to me it would be really hard considering the market exposure and then having to include, at minimum, the listing agent commission (assuming you could negotiate down the portion that would have normally gone to a buyer's agent).

They understand your needs and do a big portion of the leg work for you.

I spent a great portion of my life in school and as such lost out on a lot of financial/investment opportunities since I was in school or in low paying jobs in order to gain experience.  

If you have investors and are looking for the last piece you may have a better chance than you just putting down a portion and then asking for the remaining amount of equity from a crowdfunding portal.

On a more personal note, I was given plenty of opportunities growing up, which I think a large portion of my generation takes for granted.

We are finding from our projections that the UDFI tax is almost a non issue as you also get to take depreciation on the financed portion and they come out to a wash more or less.