There are definitely pros and cons to each so I figured I would just lay out a few benefits and personal thoughts: Small banks/brokerages:Pros:- Some regional knowledge of the market- Possibility of more creative lending guidelines with bank specific programs- Sometimes they have competitive rates for their areaCons: - weak balance sheet (more strict on some guidelines, no wiggle room, inability to be flexible or grant exceptions because they cannot afford to hold less than perfect loans)- Can't scale with clients to different markets- Usually limits exposure to individual investors (they don't want one investor to be too big of a portion of their balance sheet)- Lack of experience with multiple solutions (tend to have 2 or 3 loan products they sell and are too niche to provide tailored solutions)Large banks/brokerages:Pros:- Large compliance departments that understand individual market guidelines (typically each state has specific lending guidelines that augment the national baseline)- Ability to scale into multiple markets with same lender (licensed in many states)- Impossible for individual investors to "outgrow" a large bank's balance sheet (not concerned with one investor's concentration)- More lending solutions available for different scenarios- Often comparable or better rates given the game is volume basedCons:- Can be more difficult to get fast responses if the bank/brokerage does not have good follow up systems in place (or if the underwriting/processing staff gets overwhelmed)- Bad large banks can feel less like a relationship and more like a cog in a factory (less personal)Overall, I have worked from both and worked with both as a loan officer, branch manager, and as an investor/client myself. 

Needs to be similar age, layout and condition.

The layout across the top of the image is garage, dining room, hall, closet, and two bedrooms.  

If you do not have people walk into your house and comment on how nice your furniture layout and selection is, then I recommend you hire an interior designer to help.  

The layout of the lot would have to be just right (for example a corner lot) and the main house may need to be discounted depending on what's happening there (for example if now there is no garage, part of the backyard was chopped, etc.). 

@Rahel Ketema - Like @John Warren mentioned you likely wouldn't have demo the whole ceiling to install ductwork typically we'd just have to build out soffits to surround the ductwork around a pre-existing wall running down the center or side of the house depending on the layout.A lot of your situation depends on the layout of your units and available space. 

Three are VA loans.Finding a cash flowing multifamily can be hard to find at a great price point but there are other strategies.Message me if you want to lay out a great game plan.I wish you all the best.

I can't see getting financing better than 70% and if there is a lack of experience at this many units or other factors are not perfect then you'll need to lay out 35% - 40% and that's even if you can get it done plus it will take a long time to close. 

That's a little easier.Go to Redfin, find 3 properties that had a short DOM that sold recently that are comps in your market, look at the level of finish and design layout and make yours look like that. 

Very intuitive.