This gives you a foundation for making a fair offer.Secure Financing: Be prepared to show you’re a serious buyer with funding lined up, whether through cash, traditional financing, or a creative option like seller financing.Have a Strategy for Repairs or Development: If the property is distressed, outline how you’ll handle improvements to bring it back to productive use.

And there is a lot of appreciation potential.For someone just starting out, I'd suggest focusing on traditional long-term rentals before jumping into short-term rentals.

Will likely take longer to close than a traditional hard money (they have to order an appraisal, satisfy lender conditions etc..).

This is not “student housing” in the traditional sense - even the vacancy risk doesn’t exist as it’s a 12 month lease / they work over the summer there, etc.  

Not sure why people go for 40-year fully am instead of just traditional 30-year with 10-year IO option, I tend to think the 40 year term is more of a gimmick

You would only pay taxes on all passive investments in a traditional SDIRA at distribution, unless you have a mortgage, then the portion of the income derived because of the mortgage will be subject to UDFI (unrelated debt finance income) which will trigger UBIT (unrelated business income tax). 

If it’s a structured settlement and you aren’t getting a lump lum, you could contribute some of that to a Roth or Traditional IRA each year, or if you are self employed even more to a SEP IRA.Also what’s your short term, mid term and long term objectives?

Honestly have never touched the traditional mortgage side of the bank. 

Often, traditional lenders offer better rates, which can significantly improve your profit margins.2.

I’d love to take advantage of a “traditional” mortgage (or even FHA?)