Keep saving as much as you can.

Save cash until then for the lot.

You can look into bundling the properties into a blanket portfolio loan to save on fees and closing costs.

A lot of people can swing the 6% on a permanent basis, but not in years 1 and 2 when they have to buy all the "accessories" that come with a new home, like the new furniture, the redone kitchen, landscaping the yard, bla bla bla.By frontloading the monthly savings into year 1, poof, we've created a furniture budget. 

Any ideas to get this deal?

I have no idea why you would think that making a choice to change lenders would be a reason to get out of a deal.

It sounds like the idea is good for more of a SFR, or a 1-4 unit rehab but my concern from a lender's perspective is the needed experience in the more 10+ unit space to give "normal" (80% leverage) on a deal like this. 

I can tell you they worked their asses off and didn't rely on the Academy to be the saving grace but a tool in the tool belt not the belt.

If you are looking for a couple thousand dollars per month to supplement your social security and any other retirement savings you have, that is totally doable.  

I was 4 months into my career post college so I emptied my savings account and loaned money from my parents for the down payment.