> However when I speak to local brokers, bankers, and general investors, there is little to no knowledge or interest in the field.While Greeley does have a larger number than most of the other parts of Northern Colorado, there are not *that* many multi-family that come up for sale each year.For example, if you're looking at Greeley duplexes, triplexes or fourplexes to stick with non-commercial financing, here's a chart showing the number of listings per year going all the way back to 1997.

Most non-commercial, residential plots will have a similar zoning restriction.

Does anyone knows a reputable insurance co. in Calif or licensed in Calif that will insure a non commercial rental property for the landlord (myself) who’s tenant has a couple of Chow Chow dogs?

I do not particularly envy your residential non-commercial lender. 

brandon brilliant IDEA  I hope you were able to do your plan It is all worth it to get your own non commercial applicator  license and do it yourself the treatment cost nothing and these companies charge like crazy because the demand is high with the new epidemic of bed bugs 

I am originally from Alexandria, VA but have come to Ponte Vedra by opportunity with a non commercial sports performance facility.

I am headed in the direction of a multi unit; a four-plex would be great since that is the maximum amount of units you can get a non-commercial loan with (go big or go home) but triplexes and duplexes would work too.

Would there be any specific things that might push an investor to use a commercial policy on a non-commercial property?  

I think you're doing fine, but my personal strategy from a buy and hold perspective is single family over non-commercial multi-family.I think you can do very well with multi - especially when it comes to cash flow.  

For us, generating additional income has been way more enjoyable than living like total peasants to save.