I would mention to them that you are looking to build a portfolio- a constant source of deals normally entices small banks.I would think is the safer route, rather than holding the property under your name where you have liability from a number of different angles.Likewise, if you are having trouble securing bank financing, you may want to look into a bridge loan, prove out the income for a year, and then circle back with a bank.

The seller is my dad's mentor and the man who got my dad into buying rentals back in the 80's so I am toying with the idea of having my dad sponsor the deal to maybe help his willingness to negotiate.

I've now had 4 banks get back and say they only offer up to 25 year amortization and 5 year rate terms.

In parallel,If you’ve been paying him some other way and you’d he behind, the decision can seem to be more difficult as you’d be in the position of having to request for funds back and/or suing him.

Instead, they continue to string out the eviction process as long as possible to allow deadbeat tenants to live rent free as long as possible on the backs of struggling landlords.

Likely being due to the current increase in rental voucher payouts back in October of 23. 

I have a small "packet" that explains how my company operates, when I pay, a form for their contact information/licensing/etc, and then the W-9.My rule is that they can work for me before turning in the W-9, but I won't pay them until I get it back.

I know that nothing is free, and that some programs require you to pay the DPA loan back before you move out but what else is there to have in mind that I should know about.

We have two long term rentals and an ADU in our back yard. 

In a situation like that I think you are doing the correct thing in billing back the tenant because the utility is based on usage and not a flat fee that you can bake into the rent price.