I am wondering if anyone invests in this area can provide me with some referrals?

Who knows, but should prepare either way. 

I would start with them.I am not based in LA, so I don't know your exact laws, but I think I can still provide some initial direction for you to find answers, and maybe offer an idea to research.  

They gave me decent terms on financing the rental and providing rehab funds but it did not make sense with me being so close to finished. 

American Family recently discontinued their multi-family coverage, leaving many property owners scrambling to find new providers.

[I think someone else provided an example of this case earlier]-Now provided you do qualify for purchasing a house (4 units or less), you will have no problem qualifying for a mortgage with a Schedule 1 bank as long as you provide the down payment (35% minimum of purchase price) and confirm proof of fund and the source of it- On the proof and source of funds, the banks would want to see an income enough to cover the mortgage payment and other expenses. and in some cases, they would want to make sure they know how you're going to cover your expenses (housing, heating, etc..) where you live.This is usually where it gets annoying for some folks but if you can satisfy this, you should be able to qualify for a mortgage just likely any Canadian tax resident, albeit you will pay a little more in terms of interest rate, etc.

Private equity firms seem to favor larger operations with scalable systems, while smaller mom-and-pop firms are often acquired by local players or regional operators looking to expand their footprint.If you’re looking for actionable intel, reaching out to brokers specializing in the sale of PM firms could provide useful leads.

Implying bait and switch is pretty bold, please provide specific examples OR possibly consider not implying this about a loan shop that you clearly don't know much about. 

Any guidance you can provide as we navigate this process would be incredibly valuable.Looking forward to connecting further!

The information provided is for general knowledge based on my experience and should not be considered tax or legal advice.