Not true of all lenders but you may get better rates and terms as you gain experience.

If you rent that out without a true Certificate of Occupancy, a tenant can sue you for ALL of their rent money back. 

If that is true, is there any reason not to start with multi family?

That's definitely true.

I've been eyeing land in Central and West Texas, and they occasionally have some interesting opportunities, but some of them seem too good to be true. 

SI is a true turnkey provider.

the ONLY true way to reserve for sub to melt down is to have the money in the bank to pay off the offending mortgage full stop any thought of trying to refi etc is just wishful thinking sellers credit will get hammered while you go through the process.

The challenge is knowing if the listing agent actually tells your offer to the seller or not.For example, if a distressed property is $650k and you want to offer $620k, the listing agent says the lowest the seller may accept is $645k, but is that actually true or made up because the listing agent wants their commission?

A true Portfolio program offers a 15% Down for any SFR or up to a 2-4 Unit Multifamily but requires proof of some sort of income.

There must be an egress in all sleeping areas and make sure the listing states it's a sleeping loft that is not a true bedroom.