.- After closing, you can do some of the work yourself to save money, but the program doesn't allow you to pay yourself.You will want to buy a Class B property, maybe Class C+, in an area that seems to be improving.

I have found some information that might be helpful John.There are government backed programs like Fannie Mae Homestyle Renovation Loan and Freddie Mac Home Possible Renovation Loan, in addition to the FHA 203k loan. 

If your project qualifies for EPP (Express Permit Program), then you don’t have to secure permits in the traditional way.

And you'll have the best rate/points options with a primary residence.Option #2 is great, especially if you're willing to move into one of the units (because the down payment minimum is just 5% or 3.5% depending on program), but as you mentioned it's really tough here to find small multifamily here.

The program is not what we had hoped for.

They used that period of unemployment to skip paying student loans and then try to get some kind of program/hardship deferral or something aka "gaming the system".

Our local towns and rental assistance programs really appreciate those that try to work with their tenants which has helped me several times through easier permitting processes.

Any feed back is welcome 

Confirm what the no point option would look like in terms of rate/payment as you would want to refinance out of this program eventually and into a conforming product. 2.

See the chart from Fair Isaac Company (FICO) below: FICO Score Pct of Population Default Probability 800 or more 13.00% 1.00% 750-799 27.00% 1.00% 700-749 18.00% 4.40% 650-699 15.00% 8.90% 600-649 12.00% 15.80% 550-599 8.00% 22.50% 500-549 5.00% 28.40% Less than 499 2.00% 41.00% Source: Fair Isaac CompanyAccording to this chart, investors should use corresponding vacancy+tenant-nonperformance factors of approximately 5% for Class A rentals, 10% for Class B and 20% for Class C.To address Class C payment challenges, many industry "experts" are now selling programs to newbie investors about how Section 8 tenants are the cure.