They are going to finance you based on your loan to value, experience, and liquidity. 

@Jonathan Blanco, I'm and investor and a licensed mortgage broker so I've been on both sides of this conversation.I would look for a lender that (1) listens to you and understands your strategy and needs (hint: it's not always money), (2) has experience working with clients executing your strategy and brings more to the table than just cash - be it advice, relationships, deal-team partners, etc., (3) gives you viable options and explains the pros and cons of each option and (4) you enjoy interacting with - this should be a relationship, not a transaction.Once you find a few lenders like this (and you should have relationships with more than one), then you can start comparing rates and fees.

Are you set on starting with a larger property, or would you be open to beginning with something smaller to build experience?

A Property Manager can also assist with understanding local regulations and the practical aspects of property management, ensuring you make a well-informed decision.Feel free to share more about your specific needs.

Have others used them and had a positive experience?

Quote from @Jeremy Dugan: I am a US Air Force and Massachusetts Air National Guard veteran with 20-years of experience as a military Civil Engineer.

I think I'll start out where I live and probably branch out outnof state once I build my knowledge and experience. 

Ask how many units they manage and how much experience they have.

Share cropping with a retail farm stand/farmer's market is one, if it's the right kind of land in the right location. 

Does anyone have experience exchanging their small multi family property into a single family home, use it as an investment property then move into it as a primary residence after meeting the requirements?