A good insurance broker can help there and a very good trusted GC  along with the very all important real estate broker that specializes in new builds.. they will help you design the home and features that are needed to sell.

The lawyer is correct that one must file a special petition to obtain something called a grant of letters if the deceased has been dead for at least 21 years.

Does your team specialize in the student area or have a marketing approach to that area (SU, SUNY, Crouse)?

Last downturn 2007-2009 I saw infighting between multifamily landlords to maintain market share as rent increases flatlined and vacancy increased.Retail I specialize in and not seeing much movement up on cap rates.

Supplementing a tenants rent will help to keep them longer.

Think layers that you add as you grow - each supplement the other and cover you better, but you still need them all.Only you can determine what is your risk threshold.

I am looking for a realtor that specializes in investments and multifamily properties.

I've done some research and started the initial process with one company but find the interest rate of 6.50% to be a little high specially when they are using 60% LTV. 

Then either a special assessment is required or HOA fees are raised enormously.

There are agents that specialize in all of these areas, so you will need to really get clear on what you want in order to find the right agent.