If they have a good loan program and they don't ask for upfront funds then you've done your due diligence as a borrower.  

So I'll have to borrow the wife's car (hatchback) and hope the arms fold down so that I can get the mower over to the house tomorrow.Additionally, our stairs arrived.

Then I can go back to my commercial lender, releverage the duplex, add in two condos and borrow around $800,000 to buy a multifamily property.  

You are the borrower.  

In a couple of years you'll be living in a paid-for house worth $100k or so, at which point you could always borrow if you want to for the next one.

Its those that cannot afford it that really need to get a reality check if you have limited capital no experience and no borrowing ability .. then your destined to fail.. some will make it but 95% will not be doing this a year from now. no matter if you learn for free on BP or other on line educations and podcast.. you must create knowledge and a base for yourself so you have the ability to succeed..

No personal experience with this, but here's the quote straight from fanniemae.com:If the mortgage being delivered to Fannie Mae is secured by the borrower

That will make it easier for the borrower to cash you out if necessary.While you can get better terms with cash, the actually cash requirements for a car and a place to live are not that high. 

I do have enough for the down payment, but if I could borrow, I thought that would be advantageous.

With notes, you are exposed to lawsuits by borrowers.