Lower risk, same result, more potential customers to buy your product.

Almost every bank will have the product you need, but most banks will make it hard to find.

Don’t let them pull your credit until you find a product that works for you.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you have too many LLC's, banks will often just decline the loan because it is too complicated/time consuming to underwrite the borrower.

You might have a higher rate on that loan product but it is worth it if you can move forward on a major cash flow or value add project. 

When it comes to getting quotes from contractors, I know I need to give them a list of things that I want done, but do I include specific products (type and color of LVP flooring, paint colors, brand of kitchen cabinets, etc.)?

Financing the lenders for this type of product tend to want a forward commitment lease signed by the tenant.

I am an empty nester who needed to find ways to be productive with my time.

eXp Realty is a brokerage you can look into as we're very investor-friendly and have low production requirements, however, any sponsor (and Broker) you sign under will certainly expect a minimum of 2 (non-personal) deals a year... 

I owner-occupy a 4-plex that I bought about 6 months ago, and I'd like to utilize some that equity, but I'm having difficulty finding any loan programs for my situation (I'm aware that this would be a unicorn product).