You can sometimes get a mezzanine or a supplemental loan that is subordinate to the first mortgage, however the rates will be higher than the first mortgage. 

Is it a bad idea to send the same postcard to out-of-state landlords as it is to pre-foreclosures (i.e. one generic design) to save on printing costs (low printing quantities cost a lot more than high quantities)?

I will be doing some extensive work and not much of the old will remain.I have several alternatives that I'm looking at radiant floor heating, electric heat pump with gas furnace, geothermal heat pump and solar panels to supplement electric or gas heat.I would welcome other ideas, thoughts, pros, cons, etc.

Most big REO offices require a cover page and some other BS.MLS systems have a section for supplemental documents that agents are supposed to download and send with the offer if they exist.

Many of us service investors all over the U.S. and we supplement meetings with various technology solutions.

You might receive the generic answer that you need to rip everything open and have it inspected, but many times you will find the inspectors will work to a more reasonable middle ground.  

So far he generates generic emails regulary which I don't think is a bad thing, and if I have a question he's honest and helpful with his answer.

Records are discussed in Publication 526.The phrase “similar items” means property of the same generic category or type (whether or not donated to the same donee), such as stamp collections, coin collections, lithographs, paintings, photographs, books, nonpublicly traded stock, nonpublicly traded securities other than nonpublicly traded stock, land, buildings, clothing, jewelry, furniture, electronic equipment, household appliances, toys, everyday kitchenware, china, crystal, or silver.

I have small hobbies (i.e. buying/trading vinyl records) that generate a few thousand dollars each year so maybe I can just create a company with a bland, generic name like "Larry Endeavors" or something that allows me to claim any and all income I receive from whatever I happen to do in the year to earn it, allowing me to have the SD401(k)?

And I PROMISE you they are doing it wrong.They will most likely send that traffic to a generic landing page, with is an immediate game over for you.