Hi Frank - your lender is likely requiring the primary residence clause as part of the 3% down loan program. 

This criteria is for 1-4 and 5-8 unit programs.

Physician loan programs can swing wildly from lender-to-lender because most physician loans are portfolio programs which allow each bank to make their own decision on guidelines.Many of the programs will allow you close within 30-60 days of your start date as an attending physician.   

Efficiency Maine has programs that offer rebates for multifamily upgrades: https://www.efficiencymaine.com/at-work/multifamily/ .

This thread is getting old but thought I'd add my $0.02 anyway.I've purchased non-performing assets from PPR and, back in the day, went through their education program.  

I was wondering if there are any programs that any of you recommend to becoming a better real estate agent, especially with studying and learning the laws and regulations for the test.

Networking in various real estate associations to develop DEEP relationships is part of this program.2.

Consider the security deposit waiver program.

I have confirmed what @Garrett Brown shared -- my best option is an SBA disaster loan with a lower than normal interest rate to pay off our mortgage and then I can also hope for / pursue with others a land buyback program for those of us who have floodplain property that FEMA won't reinsure.

Generally 1-4 units have better terms compared to 5-8 unit programs.