In addition to have a loan officer, or broker, you will need to add to your team at a minimum such experts as GC's, insurance brokers, home inspectors, CPA, attorney. 

In addition, if i were to find a bank that offers this package, what kinds of hurdles should i expect to encounter before loan is approved (e.g. appraisal, state/local ordinances, etc)?

With every additional unit, you slightly reduce your tenant risk and find that valuations are better on larger assets.

Our family has been renting a single-family home (see description/additional background below) for the last 2 years and are considering buying the property from the landlord via private sale.

Our goal is to add an additional 25-35 in the next 5 years.

In addition, once you've freed up your equity in your current home and invested it in income-producing real estate assets, consider applying for a couple of FHA multi-family property loans (4 units or lease) which have competitive rates and low down-payments (3.75% at the time of writing this). 

Speak to your banking representative and they can give you some additional options.

that way you can figure out what the  upside is in addition to cash flow.good luck!

I dont like the following::Busy street, lots of steps, next to commercial or industrial, houses on either side are in very poor condition, very high taxes, certain construction styles and materials, on street parking, being far from transportation or main highways.These ideas above are just a few but the main ones.

@AJ Dhillon In addition to what's already been mentioned.