We made some updates into each unit, mostly cosmetic upgrades (fresh paint, new fixtures, repair doorbell, change bathroom vents, new door locks, new gutters, HVAC replace, etc), and live in one while renting out the others.

That crack in the basement wall or the maintenance records etc....I would also review what other things you have been told and what was disclosed and look at it with fresh eyes.  

Being a young family fresh out of college, our student loans have strained our credit to the point where traditional lending is not an option.

Upstairs was recently updated, downstairs also looks decent, needs fresh coat of paint. 

We gave the entire home fresh paint, cleaned up floors and ripped up carpet (it has the original hardwood), and added new carpet to the living room and a runner to the stairs.

Develop a basic understanding of real estate numbers so you can vet your underwriters and make sure you’re working with the right partners who have the same risk profile as you.I’ve seen underwriters self-label as “conservative” only to uncover that they were way more aggressive than I was.

Did a light rehab on the 3rd unit - fresh coat of paint and new carpeting.

In reality, my flooring contractor (all hardwood floors) was able to sand the smell out of it - and let me tell you, you've never smelled anything like freshly sanded cat piss - and 98% of the stains, and put down 3 nice thick coats of polyurethane, and the smell was completely gone at the end and never came back. 

Whether it's virtual or in-person, there's always new information to uncover.

That way each time there is a turn they bring a fresh set and take the used set with them to wash and use on the next turn.