Joshua Tree is definitely interesting selection - probably destined to be a very volatile rollercoaster market - trends toward big overheats and then big crashes after over-builds, people that can time the bottoms over a long time frame can probably succeed very well

To be clear, it is totally ok to APPLY for more than one (shopping rates/lenders/brokers) however having multiple loans going at once (if you were doing a loan for your primary and one for a rental at the same time) requires disclosing on the application that you are getting another loan while your current loan is processing.  

The plan: I am identifying on/off market properties that are targets, will do all of the real estate work (listing, showing, advertising, vetting, etc) and will split the cost of the purchase of the home and the material costs for any needed repairs.The contractor will be subbing out portions of the job and be on site mostly full time until the project is completed. 

I have tried well over a dozen times to upload a bathroom photo.

However, if you plan to rehab at all, you will then need a licensed contractor to provide bids on each project you plan to rehab.You will then be asked to provide a proof of any funds to close, purchase agreements, and if closing as an LLC - most times documentation on that LLC.Overall, the larger number of units (5+) makes the lending process based more off the property than the borrower, contrary to traditional single family housing.I would recommend you work with a Loan Originator/Broker who will be the medium for you to the lender/s.

The are always multiple variables such as: are the gift funds involvedProperty typecondition of the propertyIs it ruralTitle seasoningReservesLTVWhat is the estimated DSCR ratioCitizenship status: Foreign National, ITIN, Citizen, Resident, permanent residenceDoes borrower have investor experience or notMortgage payment history called a VOM or proof of timely paymentsGift of equity or not100% gift funds or does borrower have at least 5% down payment and their own reserveshow many acres does the property have?

Market changes all the time. 

You may consider a business attorney familiar with your state or jurisdiction if you do not wish to spend the time to do it on your own.  

If you are paying a premium to just win the lien to make interest, most redeem with in the first year so even on houses and properties that will redeem 99.9% of the time, who would pay more than a few % over for those because you are not going to make much in interest and if they redeem in the first couple months you will lose money on all of those.

I know over the past few years DST's were getting crushed and had a hard time raising money according to someone I know in the  BD space who did a lot of DST's.