I'm reading Gene Trowbridges book on syndication and realizing there are some potential fine lines in defining how much active management I'm doing versus the other team members, and how that may imply that I need to follow SEC guidelines.  

And we have guidelines in what we choose to offer our clients (which is entirely based around their investment goals and criteria.)3.  

You need a few simple guidelines to help:1.

I have it under contract for $51k but am having trouble finding financing due to my personal debt to income ratio being higher than the secondary market guidelines.

It limits you in the number you can make without following the Dodd-Frank guidelines. 

  I purchase a home in Boca Raton, FL as a "live-in" BRRR strategy, so I could take advantage of the FHA guidelines.

Maybe the guidelines are different for VA loans.

And got an extension and guidelines to resolve the issues. 

If you're looking for a conventional loan (4 units falls in the 1-4 residential guidelines) then they will probably use the comps approach.

If they don't meet your guidelines, tell them they wont qualify.