Because unless they do, perhaps you're not comparing apples with apples after all?

Hire the GC for the heavy lifting on your first one and hire the subs yourself and manage them.

The theory goes that if you invest ahead of the 'wave' of progress you stand to reap the rewards of appreciation and a rising tide lifting all boats effect.The question I have is how to do actually assess, systematically what the path of progress of a given area is?  

I just wrote an article about this actually, comparing the two options...https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/5-SFRs-or...Your two options aren't exactly comparing apples to apples, but there should be a good bit in there to get you started on considerations.

Lenders have different fees for underwriting, processing etc... but if you're using VA, the VA funding fee should be the same from lender to lender because it's based on your use of the entitlement.I'd shop around, and research a couple of decent companies (do Yelp reviews and Google reviews for the local branches of the companies you're researching) take what they give you (compare apples to apples) and then without reservation, buy.  

You are paying for the service of another company doing all the heavy lifting for you.

I really don't want to upset the apple cart over $45, but this type of stuff bothers me!

That's the only way I've gotten them up over the flooring before: screwing the feet all the way in and then lifting.

Eric above did mention some good options for going non-recourse, but even knowing those loan options, it can still be "apples to oranges" even amongst the companies offering those programs. 

Lift my credit score, figured as a rental it would pay for itself and the payments would help my credit score build over time.2.