You definitely would want to engage with a tax professional. 

I have  more than adequate liability insurance coverage for each property, and I don't engage in other inherently risky activities outside my rental real estate business.

There is a plaster wall that needs repairing (exterior wall so who knows how old this material is) and I would also like to have some basic level of confidence in how likely or unlikely it is that this wall also contains asbestos?

It sounds great on the surface but this is a prime example of when it could have negative implications.I'm not sure how many CPAs you've spoken to already but I would recommend settling on one who specializes in real estate and can help you navigate this situation with confidence.

You will get what you actually need as opposed to something that might suit the needs of some other investors but not you, and you would not be engaging in intellectual property theft.

How’d YOU get the confidence to jump?

These are expensive loans and the only reason to take them is if you're highly confident you can refinance and cash out all you owe after construction.Payment structure, interest rate, and lump sum payment are all almost certainly going to be included and all are negotiable.

In such a short time, we now have the confidence we needed to make the leap. 

Usually, if you have >20% non-owner occupied units in a complex, banks don't like lending on sales.Short of her engaging in something that is malicious mischief or menacing and you can get some evidence, probably not much. 

Most of them won't produce a profit but it is great practice and will help you gain confidence when you approach someone to invest with you.