My business model was such that it is a pretty automated process, so that I would have flexibility to put full efforts into my professional career (I was a Director at a wireless OEM).NOW my priorities have shifted.

This means they have much more flexibility than other lenders on ratios and other loan terms.

First a little context:- I've been investing in US real estate for around 5 years now, primarily flipping with a local JV partner (/ service provider: he takes a fee for service and is compensated based on the success of each deal, but does not take an equity position)- More recently I've become interested in buy-and-hold - for a range of reasons, but primarily because I have recently discovered it should be possible for me to get quite a large amount of leverage (I'm a US citizen living overseas, so initially found that quite difficult, but seem to have found at least a couple of lenders who will work with me)- As such I am now focused on building up as large a portfolio as I can - to maximize the amount of principal paydown being done by tenants on my mortgages and to leverage the flexibility my employment income gives me as much as possible.

I also work closely with another agent that works for a small brokerage - she seems to have a lot more flexibility but doesn't have the marketing muscle of a brand like KW.

I simply don't have the time or the flexibility in my schedule.Is there a way I can make sure my manager screens tenants up to a certain standard?

An apartment I'd be slightly more flexible on but you really want to find someone with as much ability to afford the place as possible.

They're flexible. 

I'm not building for as cheap as I possibly can, because quality, speed, and flexibility are also important to me.

Abstract goals may not work for you, but for me they allow flexibility.

It would be worth asking the lender if they would consider a longer term with a floating rate after year 5 to provide you with more flexibility.