. :)  So you get minimal help on learning good negotiating and actually being good at following deadlines and understanding how to protect your client (yourself) in a transaction. 

Anyway, seems to be working for me now, just with a delay???

You may not get to live completely "rent-free", but the idea is to be able to acquire property that will cash-flow when you move out & minimize your living expenses in the meantime.  

So here's my primary dilemma right now - we have good credit, and solid incomes (above average for the area) - is there a traditional financing option for me that requires a minimal down payment for multifamily investment properties?  

If you are unhappy you have the power to cancel the deal due to the delays.

Smaller buildings under 12 stories will have less delays but for any building add 12 months to whatever the builder says is the completion date.Alternatively, older houses in Hamilton may be a good way for you to add value to a property and thus increasing the equity.

Chances are there will be a initial delay in you receiving payment due to government paperwork.

Because they didn't have the drive within themselves, they couldn't find a way to put minimal work in and expect huge results.

First, keep track of how much the delay is costing you. 

You would be surprised and some of the returns you can achieve with a minimal upfront investment.