Batteries go dead and you can;t get in.

I want to occupy one of the units so I can get an owner-occupied loan and only have to put down 3.5%.   

The standard is your intent and  how you can demonstrate the intent of the property. 

I think BRRRR can still work really well under 2 conditions: 1) you have another substantial source of income and your capital is somewhat renewable (I don't) or 2) you're willing to compromise on your target areas and move to secondary, tertiary, or out of state markets (I am not) or 3)  you're very lucky and/or skilled at acquisitions (I am from time to time).  

We use 10% of the loan as a rule of thumb.Even though we can usually fund almost 100% of a flip, there are still many unforeseen issues that will arise.We just don’t want a borrower to get in over their heads. 

A guarantor is just one more point where things can go wrong.

Unless you're buying under market value or with all/mostly cash, it can be tough to be cash flow positive on a rental property here, and extremely unlikely to find any that meet the 1% rule as a LTR.

The answer is simple:Labor is finite.We can only work in the present, and once that time is gone, it’s gone for good.

3) If there is a major issue at the property such that nobody can live there, it is expensive to move and you need time to find a place.  

Beautiful areas, I also like hwy 49 in Sierra foothills, hwy 9 saratoga to Santa Cruz, Hwy 35 "Skyline"",  us 129  "tail of the dragon" Tennessee, I'd like to ride the Al Can to Dawsons Creek 1 day.