Just remember anyone who has acted as your employee, attorney, accountant, investment banker or broker, or real estate agent or broker within the 2-year period ending on the date of the transfer of the first of the relinquished properties is considered your agent and is disqualified from being your QI.So definitely ask them for recommendations but they cannot act as your QI on the exchange. 

View them as bankers who better know how to do due diligence.  

For a better estimation, find a business broker in your area.For the loan options, speak with your banker and try to get involved in local real estate groups.

I have a friend who is a banker locally, he's seen business bank numbers for 40 years...he know what makes a strong business client and when it is a weak business with some good years.

Meet-ups via local groups or via zoom calls or private REI clubs/groups.Asking a seasoned agent in each city/county as well as a Banker/Loan officer will also help put a plan together.

For us in the seller financed note investing world, we are often looking to find value in a deal that fell outside of a traditional banker's lending box. 

The key would be making sure to talk to a local banker that can do CRE loans for owner occupied properties as not all banks do them.

The land banker, the long term landlord, the neighbor that wants to expand their home, or the horse owning owner occupant with no other options?  

having a local commercial Banker is key I would never go with a national HML for construction.. unless I absolutely had to .. like right now I am at 1/2 point and 7%  for my vertical loans no junk fees and my bank even pays or the appraisals . :)  these are not credit score loans ( I mean I have a credit score) but thats just a formality its all about capital and relationships with your bankers and deposit relationships thats key as well.Yes your relationships with sub contractors will be a huge factor in profitability, both direct and indirect. 

These programs offer options for less money down and in some cases DPA - Down payment assistance.As a banker for over 18+ years I am very skeptical when I hear a new name in the business only because its become tougher to lend with all of the new laws and credit/insurance requirements and regulations.