You can also check their reviews online at Google, Facebook, or Yelp.

Are there any strategies here to utilize bank funds for our project?

I can become a millionaire just by looking at street and sat view and bid online in my underwear. 

This way the broker can search hundreds of lenders (Including Easy Street Capital) instead of just hoping that one lender can get you a good deal.A direct lender can work very well for Conventional loans, but if you were hoping to get a good deal I would look elsewhere Or you could search for hundreds of lenders here on BP or online yourself and avoid paying broker fees..

G'Day Alejandro,As a few have already mentioned, take a peak at Toledo also.In my opinion lower potential for long term appreciation but solid/"boring" cashflow.I prefer my portfolio to be "boring" but cashflowing lolLow entry points (Sub $100,000), high rents (Above the 1% rule).Blue collar working class decent folks that will stay and pay.Depending on the area but no derelict homes, yards well kept, cars with wheels and all tenants are employed.Plus, all are sophisticated enough to pay rent online so property management doesn't have to collect rents with bullet proof vests and shot guns lolI'm bias toward Toledo but it's worth considering.Wishing you much success

I got into RE investing utilizing the same strategy as you're exploring.

Not sure if that is still legal or even translates in today's world of everything online but seemed like a good screening tool to me at the time. 

Outcome currently is a rented basement for $1,350 a month + $130 in utilities while I live in the upstairs unit.

However, aside from that, I couldn’t find much information about them, and the only online presence seems to be the wife’s LinkedIn profile (though I’ve never met her in person and am just going off her profile picture on Zillow).After submitting the application through Zillow, we attached our income (two months of pay stubs for each of us from our current jobs), work references, credit and criminal background, rental history, and the contact info for our current landlord (who just so happens to be my fiancé’s father).

My appointment is with the same lawyer (Jarom Bergeson) .. and I sent him a list as well of options that I found online to get his opinion on the best structure.