On second home loans you only have to put 10% down, I would just do that if I were you, sounds likes a great opportunity (also you maybe surprised  doing seller carry on 20% is not nearly as difficult for the seller)

As your first true investment, what were some of the most difficult or scary parts of this whole deal?

It's difficult but not impossible to be involved into a multifamily syndication!

A couple of the reasons/concerns I am considering this:-Difficult to go the BRRRR method in the current market and actually find a deal (too many non-Texans, like myself originally paying way over market value on MLS)-I liked the work the builder did on our property, and we would ideally build a base model without much customization, and add forced appreciation in the second home while we live in it over time-I would like to take advantage of the current rates, as well as my VA benefit with the best strategy possible in starting the rental journey-I know our current home would rent and cashflow well (only con/concern is that our upgrades are on the higher end, rather than econo-rental-friendly: porcelain wood-look flooring, granite countertops etc.) 

I agree that the intention behind it is to weed out buyers that are not serious, and yes it does make long-distance investing more difficult, although nothing is impossible. 

That’s wild tbh they really make it difficult for someone To grow they portfolio, and what made you get into investing ?

What is so difficult about foreclosures that people don't talk about them as much?

But it isn't always DIY friendly as it sets up quickly and pretty hard, leaving a thick haze that can be difficult to remove, especially with rough textured tiles.

I usually try to keep those the same as all things go up and difficult to guess will go up faster. 

Comps with ADU's can be difficult to search for - most real estate websites don't allow you to narrow down a search to looks for homes with ADU's.