Can anyone offer some insight or good practices to do when purchasing.

I'd also suggest for you to talk with other companies and go visit your top 2-3 options in person to get a better idea of the teams and systems/processes that they have. 

Most of these are small areas without many multifamily offerings listed for sale.  

For reference, I am self-employed (I run my own online clothing business, i am 1099-k) and I've always been told that it'll be hard for me to get a conventional mortgage when you're self employed, so I am specifically asking about other types of loan options.  

I am trying to understand what my options are.Rick

But in any instance, negotiate an option to extend the maturity date.

Durable and waterproof, easy to install, and has enough options that you'll be able to find one that goes well with the finishes in the house. 

Also, if you know somebody who selected option number three and lost 100% of their money, would you feel bad for them?

a) Get a pre-approval from ONE of the lenders and use it to put in offers.

I had already figured those costs and taken them into account when I put in the offer.