I ended up using a "chain" property management company instead of an individual because I thought I'd be better protected...

Then the special purpose LLC rents the space to either you individually, an operating company that you have established or a third party.

Even if a conventional Fannie/freddie lender will not finance it, there are always portfolio lenders (who make their own decisions on a case-by-case basis), commercial loans (yes, they can be made on less than five units) and last but CERTAINLY not least, private individuals (a massively underutilized financing source, IMHO)I think your bigger issue might be insurance, rather than financing.  

For what it's worth, here's the link I found summarizing the code:https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_830.htmIt's a lot of individual sections, but there's no specific disclosure document.Thanks,Robert.

I want to offer qualified individuals with the right mindset and knowledge base the opportunity to join my team and I will pay for you to get your license.  

They used a private lender (a high net worth individual, a.k.a. rich dude) who didn’t care much about income requirements.

Unfortunately it's often a power struggle or you're dealing with a mom & pop owner who are not the most organized individuals.... but that can be an opportunity for you!

No mentor is looking for someone they have to teach everything to, people are looking to trade value and combine talents so they can accomplish more as a sum of parts than they can individually.

They're both for sale individually, but seller would prefer for both properties to go to the same buyer.  

One to rent and one for an option to buy so I don't know why you would have to be worried about an installment sale.If you're worried about Dodd/Frank or the CFPB (scam that they are) work with a licensed individual or get licensed yourself.