He said that the insurance company gave him a discount because the materials are less susceptible to fire than common materials used like asphalt shingles and stucco.  

In this case, you can use Rental Income from the units that you will not be living in and that income can count to help you qualify.FHA rates are going to be lower than conventional for you almost always, but FHA does have a 1.75% funding fee. 

Officers all too often think the know the law simply because they wear a badge, when they actually know a lot less than most folks. 

Probably less time spent too and more educated borrowers over a wholesaler.YUP  .. 

@Jason Wray has some opinions that are his to have as one of those "FDIC Bank or Credit Union" loan officers himself.

Typically, we are shooting for top of foundation to be 24 inches higher than the road and at least 36 inches above the bottom of the drainage.

They were perfectly acceptable 20 years ago, but now many areas are limited to one guest per calendar month. 

This is perfectly fine if you are going to be living there a long time, but I see people who use a home as a stepping stool home to a larger home in future and make it very customized to their liking but then when try and sell it, it does not appeal to the masses.

This is a story from my past that provides a perfect example as to why investing in tax liens at auction is so dangerous for any but the most experienced and knowledgable investors20 years ago I purchased a SFR as a long term rental investment that sat on a double lot.  

This is the only property that I own (other than myhomestead).