Our banker encouraged us and this helped us buy multifamily properties out of state.

I then ask them to give me the phone number of their banker so I can verbally confirm.. 

And in my experience, ownership in a LLC does not avoid personal guarantee unless there is a long term relationship with the lender, lender being your primary banker for personal accounts, rents collected, savings, etc. and the property(s) has a very strong first position for the lender. 

@Jameson Sullivan Find a new mortgage banker.

Hi guys, there's a company called bankers health care group, bhg that provides personal/ biz loans to professionals in the healthcare industry.

The banker I spoke to was adamant that if the properties were not listed on their foreclosure website then they were not for sale.  

Also doesn't hurt to live on the same street as your banker and let him beat you on the golf course once a week. ;)

So, if you have the down, and the deal is good enough, maybe you can sweet talk them, or hit the sidewalk till you find a banker/broker that can make an exception.Other than that, I'm not aware of any magic.  

As far as builders to get on with, the easiest way is probably just to ask a couple of the mortgage bankers at the local banks who they would recommend (and not!)

Don't forget about relationships with local bankers, property managers, appraisers, inspectors, etc.