The trick is getting in front of the administrator, establishing rapport and getting them to a price that makes sense for everybody.

My intention is to live in the basement, rent out the remaining bedroom to a long term roommate, and run the upstairs as a full time STR.I'm aware that the City of Littleton has strict short term rental regulations, but they do allow STRs as long as I have a license and I am occupying the property.  

The real estate license isn't magic.

I’m also a licensed general contractor.Thanks in advance!

And a few who do real, sustainable business.For an industry that loves to hate on agents, it's remarkable how most of them earn less, and do nothing compared to their peerset who simply get licensed. 

Then we decided to also get licensed to start managing for other people while still buying MF too. 

Give up a bit of projected return for an established operator.  

There are banks out there that offer lines of credit for GP stakes, which many established syndicators utilize and draw on to potentially fund their follow-on offerings.  

Ask discovery questions, genuinely care about the answers, and seek to find a solution that falls in line with what is important to the owner.Aim to first establish trust with the owner.

I am a licensed lender.