I ran into these gugys personally coming out of the GFC were money was really tough to raise..

Unfortunately experience means you've made some costly mistakes :-) So, to avoid those costly mistakes, when I take on a new approach in investing, I buddy up with someone that already has experience doing them.

If not, you’re probably better off with a more conventional approach.  

Even if the owner seems like a really nice person, they will micromanage the builder and not like the specs of the house the builder needs to do, and/or the timing in which the builder gets it done, etc. 

There are multiple potential strategies it's just really going to depend on your personal situation. 

As an avid public and private markets investor, I solely believe a person's network is their net worth.

I will be renting ADU fulltime and will not use for personal usage.

can anyone you know in person vouch for this lender? 

I would never own rental properties in my personal name.

Recently had a conversation with an MLO who had their license with Company A (NMLS regulated) and then on the side, this person conducted commercial-only business loan-related activity by starting their own LLC (company B) in the states where no mortgage licenses are required.