Cold calling is a super power in todays world because 99% of business owners either don't like to, don't want to, or both.

If you're going to act as Owner/Builder, you had better be really knowlegable, and you already said you are not, right?

get estimates for having it done, and map out what you'll save (as the owner) not having to pay the utilities per year, and measure your COCR. let's say it would cost 10k to have the utilities all split (i have NO idea what it would really cost), and you'd save $450/mo not having to pay utilities (a somewhat reasonable estimate for a duplex with water/sewer, electric, gas).. that would be a 54% cash-on-cash return, making that investment up front. when many investors are looking for an 8-12% COCR, 54% sounds pretty dang good. it will also make the property more appealing for a future buyer if the utilities are separate. 

The property I've set my sights on is a 9-plex where the owners are willing to carry 70% of the loan at a 5.5% rate for a $1,800,000 building.

And the windfalls to the owners are life changing . 

Many of us are familiar with cost segregation studies and how they benefit real estate property owners.

His advice was to hold my current property and continue acquiring single family homes with low money down for owner occupied and move around until I’ve maxed out my mortgaging capabilities.

It took less than 1 week to get them delivered to the store and another 2 days for shipping to site.

The owner has 2 weeks before the home is auctioned off. 

He wants to act as property manager to not appear to be the owner to tenants, you knew this when you answered.