If you feel they're being too harsh, think about their intent.

@Slocomb Reed, you can search numerous threads or Dodd Frank regulation, but what you will find can be summarized as followsDodd Frank Act, and administrative rulings by the Consumer Financial Protection Agency, are unbelievably numerous, hard to interpret, subject to subjective judgements, have harsh and draculon penalties for even small or inadvertent infractions, and cases are being pursued by trail attorneys both as individual cases and as part off class action.So, a lender set up to do a huge volume of personal mortgage loans may find the risk acceptable, the enormous investment in compliance and personnel  and procedures a cost of doing business.Private lenders do not have the time, money, staff or risk tolerance to be in this market. 

This is due to the difficulty making a profit with the heavy overhead, including high management fees (ave 27%,) high repairs & capex from harsh winters & sun at the high altitude and wear & tear, snow plowing, expensive insurance and some of the highest utility costs in the country. 

Edit:That may have sounded more harsh than I intended.

We stress the rules, we inspect regularly, and we deal harshly with those caught violating the terms.

Luckily, Cleveland Isn't known for its harsh winters :)I'm not advising this but it worked for me in my situation.

Not meant to be harsh, meant to be real that most who think real estate is easy and money grows on trees who have never saved money should not be in this business.  

DSCR Loans have no such limitsFlexible Qualification and Underwriting – Conventional Lenders are harshly limited in any flexibility on qualification, while Private Lenders can (and do frequently) make exceptions

(May sound harsh but sometimes you need a harsh dose of reality).  

Many state "real estate agencies" would deal with you very harshly.. anyway, something to keep in mind as you 'creatively" go about your dealmaking..