This implies that they likely do not know the nuances of the local market.First I value good tenants and let my good tenants get slightly below market rent, but you asked to justify the opposite which is very easy to do.In CA, duplexes are rent controlled state wide (5% + CPI, capped at 10%). 

Can range from $1100-$1600. 

You have asked a lot of questions that with some digging through the search bar you will find have been covered many times.1) Talk to a lender when you're closer to your buy timeline and they will outline the different financing options ranging from 3.5%+ down FHA to 5%+ conventional financing and the pro/cons of each.

Depending on your lender the rates/terms will change but generally its going to be an 75-80% ARV loan and rates that I'm seeing for my clients on investment loans are in the 3.4-3.8 range at the moment. 

For some lenders yes they are that bad with pricing but that's pretty much the top of the range, which means the least competitive. 

This Long Island area is to expensive and out of my price range.

Most SF appraisals should be in the 300-500 range in most markets. 

There is a vast range of structuring options in syndicated deals therefore there is no one answer or one size fits all.

My goal is to put in the specifications of the property, like the footprint, and have the spreadsheet pop out needed information, including CapEx.For example, I'm putting together the roofing section of the database right now and have a wide variety of roof types listed. 

The only issue would be DTI if your debt to income ratio is within range it would not be a problem.