In the process on meeting with 2-3 now to choose who to work with.

My wife and I are thinking about doing mid term rentals so a buy and hold strategy may be the path we choose.

Even if your town or jurisdiction has regulations, the HOA can choose to pass rules that are more restrictive.

I have heard of instances where one (the borrower) is allowed to choose the appraisal company or put in a recommendation for one which the institutional bank may honor, and then the person already knows someone there, that they have gotten to know with time from other projects, and it's not unnaturally inflating value but favoring a good one to keep the reoccurring client.  

It's important to choose that one and commit to using it.

It's important to choose that one and commit to using it.

You will nitpick all new tenants and never choose one.

Also, if you choose the rental portfolio route, be realistic.

The tenants may not like the timelines or outcomes of the repairs - part is on back order, they have to pay for the repair due to abuse, the owner chooses to repair instead of replacing.

You can revisit this every year if you so choose.