Don't go for the cheapest (unless the price is lower because it is on sale), but also don't go for the most expensive. 

Even in a lower priced investment property, like a small SFR, what does the investor without a contingency fund do when say the ac or a furnace need replacement?  

For $10K and a lower rate I'd be willing to consider delaying...but only if I knew that lender two was solid on closing in a relatively short timeframe.

To transition to multi-family properties, research landlord-friendly states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Indiana with favorable eviction laws, lower taxes, and higher rental demand.

The longer term loans would have lowered your monthly payments and decreased the costs.As for rent, each year you need to look at rents in the area to decide how much you will be increasing the rent by. 

Happy to chat...being a local GC takes out a lot of the risk of the biggest variable for most investors (unpredictable rehab costs) and also allows you to consider more options than the average investor, with your rehab costs being significantly lower.

I would remove debt to a 7-10 year time frame and lower fixed costs, at minimum.

Is the higher price agent inflating to get the listing or is the lower price agent just not keyed in well enough in the specific neighborhood?

This does not align with buying most buildings in cash.Once you progress in your investing efforts you may come across more UHNW individuals, family offices and institutions who would take the lower return for limiting risk (all cash deal).

I get a new tenant at a LOWER rent, ALWAYS late, and then ... the septic tank GOES TO HELL