TIf you're goal is to scale, they are an excellent option for while bypassing some of the stricter requirements of traditional financing.

Traditional lenders don't care about your savings or net worth; they care about your employment and earnings.3.

It varies deal to deal, on one property maybe up to 65% LTV, but if you have more collateral the more likely they can make something work.For example, I've done numerous deals where we place a 2nd on 4-5 properties and the lender feels comfortable lending x amount of dollarsThese are very non traditional loans and no two will ever be the same.

I am trying to decide whether or not I should go through a traditional bank (JPM), a morgage broker, or try and find a credit union.

If it does and you can't rent your house traditionally without covering $1,000 a month in costs, and you can't sell because the value isn't there, then you're in a pretty frustrating situation. 

The Twin Cities has traditionally been an excellent place for growth, but there are many metro areas that will offer you similar profits.

And the cheapest capital comes from traditional lenders, who will want good credit score and financial wherewithal from the borrower.  

Saying you want to eventually "get out of Section 8" is akin to saying you want to eventually "get out of renting to [insert a traditionally marginalized race/ethnicity/religion]"

Can I get a traditional US mortgage for an international property investment?

Is it possible to get a traditional loan on the 25% and owner finance the rest?