Having spent a good portion of my life in Europe, I prefer to walk or ride my bike rather than drive everywhere.

If you were to redirect a portion of a builder mortgage to yourself as payment, then at some point your going to have to pay back that money out of proceeds from a future project.  

I hate that I am giving a large portion of my returns away on an HOA.  

I have 2 renters on stand by ready to go at it for $400 a month so with their portion, I'll have the rent and then some.

Typically, I bid out the construction portion of each project like anything else, and I either pay myself at market rate less 10%, or take equivalent equity in the property.  

While that is sound if you are not planning to use the funds in the immediate future, it puts a squeeze on cash reserves to use towards other investments.In terms of funds to my name, if I were to cash out a solid portion my equity investments, I would be be able to fund an initial purchase into real estate. 

The contract mentions the portion of lease payment.

I forgot to factor in the interest only portion for the first 3 years...that will make the CoC returns even better. 

The professionals guide to double digit returns, multi-generational wealth, and a worry free retirement) which just went on Amazon 6 weeks ago that has a fair portion dedicated to choosing an area to invest in MF.

The basement will be lost money and at best will likely only return a portion of the cost upon the sale of the property.