A hard money lender or private lender may have different down payment options but don't expect anything much lower than 20%.

What would you expect to gain by paying off someone else's property?

I’ve completed all the courses and expect to be pinned in the fall.

Again, it's hard to expect for it to take awhile. 

In this here age of the smartphone I would think it would be attractive, and almost expected, for investors to be able to track and check their investments at the click of a button just as everyone can with stocks, online banking, etc...

Request a quick phone call consult and she'll tell you what you can expect to pay to build the utility workshop and if she thinks you could build a shed/apartment. 

I'd just weigh your expected returns in the market vs your mortgage interest rate.I've actually been tapping the HELOC equity to re-invest into the market which is an aggressive play but if I can beat the interest rate (3.75%), I'll be turning a profit by doing so.

All units are occupied which the leases are expected to end within the next two months. 

In the next year or so, we expect to sell off two SFR's and a duplex in Independence, MO to 1031 exchange into another smaller multifamily. 

Therefore, it is a fair expectation that you ask the seller.