Good for the sellers and buyers, but bad for the RE agents who depend on this easy $. 

To keep it simple if you have good credit and a decent amount of assets this will depend on your market on the amount needed but try to always have access to a good amount.

However, the choice of location significantly depends on your investment strategy.

Hard money lenders vary on their underwriting guidelines but generally they are looking for:1.

Hard money / fix and flip lenders vary on their underwriting guidelines but generally they are looking for:1.

I also work in home remodeling/building and can put you in touch with the right contractors dependent on the area.Are you using somebody you have a relationship with or are you looking for a hard money lender to fund the deal? 

Hard to say right off the bat which is a better option since it depends a lot on what you are looking for and your situation but speaking with a lender that understands the application of primary residence loans in multifamily will be important to help you find the right option.

This is a complicated question because it depends on a few factors:1.

This will vary depending on the bank. 

Your success will depend on buying appropriate investments for the local market.