I'm currently shopping for 1-4 unit properties.

Depending on the vicinity of these new institutions you may be serendipitously gifted a blanket rezone by the State/County.

It is basically a two or three man shop that does outstanding residential and small commercial work. 

My 2 newb partners and are trying to buy a second rental property, one where the numbers work well, and a local credit union is telling us 5.5% for 20 years and possibly with a balloon, whereas we had been planning on 4.5% for 30 years and no balloon.Wondering if the CU's figures seem reasonable to you, or if you might be able to provide another lending source(s).We are shopping around, locally, right now, but it seems likely we have a deal, so we're kinda antsy to find the best lender terms we can.Thank you for whatever you can offer ...

If you are shopping for molding at HD, you are paying too much.

Solid wood slab doors are more than sufficient, and not that difficult to get to fit standard sized doors -- would assume that is a 36" might cost you 120 bucks at a good hardware or door specialty shop.

But, the biggest may not be the best in every situation, so shop around as to terms and rates offered.

One down town complex that just opened has a theater, bar, meeting/study rooms, wifi, exercise room, pool, coffee/sandwich shop.....can't think of everything but there is more.Funds come from economic development programs and banks, tax credits are involved so the financing at this scale is more sophisticated than small projects.

Mark was my "buyer's agent" and also runs a 1 stop shop with property management, maintenance, etc. 

I would say that it takes more diligence in vetting the "buyer".You might also shop it to a local landlord association if there is one.