I know he has gotten creative on the lending side for products used to get the properties. 

There is usually a missed opportunity in most markets delivering housing products that are needed but not readily available and the Zillow data most rely upon does not tell this story.Get to know the members of a community, their needs, what steers them away from the housing that's currently available.

You can proceed with a cash out or rate and term refi up to 65-75% LTV depending what product and terms you choose.

You may want to find a private lender, sell something, etc…The mortgage lates are going to keep you from any bank/mortgage products

I have also purchased resid. and comm. properties where the landlording/property management was really poor. 

The products they sell are almost always counterfeits or not as described and the land they sell/finance are worthless.

If it's a matter of a quarter point but the more expensive debt is with a bank that offers better other terms like amortization and LTV, and they have a rock star loan officer, I'd go with the slightly higher interest rate product.2.)

Most productive leasing platforms?

Be sure to investigate the varying product types. 

Risk of future inflation, and projections of gross domestic product.