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I realize I can just wait it out and cashflow nicely, but I'd like to get the ball rolling on additional properties here at the beginning (happy to hear arguments for/against that too, btw).The solution I was thinking of was to do some sort of intermediate loan with private money until the 6 month period is over and then go with traditional lending at that time. 

I am currently renting the home I am planning on purchasing, it will be a private sale with owner financing.

Does anyone know of a private lender that will lend on a owner occupied 80% ltv??.

Is there any way I can start to distinguish good opportunities from bad ones so I can go into a conversation with at least some knowledge?

A lot of the times people turn SFH into two units to live in one and rent the other one but they don't always apply for the conversion.  

I contact my tenant about 45 days prior to the end of the current lease and have a conversation with them regarding the increase.

Private message me if you’d like the contact info of my agent and PM.

Second, we are currently using bank loans to buy so we can build a track record before jumping into hard money or private lending- so no cash.

Plus, once an investor gets behind the business plan, then they're just playing catch up as it gets hard to not drown as you are trying douse multiple fires.Happy to continue our conversation over PM.