Readers should seek professional advice.

My piece of advice would be to make sure you have a great agent in your corner to help you assess the market, make informed decisions, etc. having a good agent can be day & nights difference when it comes to your experience.

Funding the larger properties to start sounds like it will be my biggest challenge and I'm not convinced, yet, that I can't find the money out of my own pocket or find OPM to get a deal done.

Readers should seek professional advice.

It sounds like you’re bringing a wealth of experience from the commercial real estate world, which will undoubtedly serve you well as you expand your residential portfolio.

Does that sound right?

3) Any advice for someone starting out, especially when trying to scale a mission-driven organization like this?

It sounds like you are not working with a realtor that knows the in's and out's of STR's in the area. 

His advice was to terminate Delta and hire another builder who can finish the job. 

Very different advice if you were looking to make $20k a month while spending your days on the golf course or lake.