For example, hotels or short-term rental properties like Airbnb often generate more income than traditional apartments, especially if the location supports it.Entitlements and Approvals: Check whether your project fits within the land’s current zoning (by-right uses) or if it will require variances or rezoning.

I am trying to decide whether or not I should go through a traditional bank (JPM), a morgage broker, or try and find a credit union.

Either choice you make will be a good one.

Hi, it is your choice.

I know which one I would take out of those two choices.  

was it poor choice of notes.. or do you think it was straight up stealing money from their investors ?  

You may get a hard money lender to lend as well but you will probably have trouble getting traditional financing for acquisition or if you decide to hold on to the assets.

I will go so far to say that the sub-metering was the WRONG choice for us, given the cost, and given that if push came to shove, it would not hold up under scrutiny - by tenants, in a court of law - and therefore by extension, us.

It's a cost-saving up front and lasts longer than many other choices. 

It varies deal to deal, on one property maybe up to 65% LTV, but if you have more collateral the more likely they can make something work.For example, I've done numerous deals where we place a 2nd on 4-5 properties and the lender feels comfortable lending x amount of dollarsThese are very non traditional loans and no two will ever be the same.