He is looking to approach the lender with a reduced payoff.

Really simple question, what is the best way to approach a seasoned investor to pick their brain?

I'm a huge big pockets fan it totally made me rethink my approach to life.

This just gave me another approach to attack the market.

You'll get a lot more responses there concerning the multifamily approach. 

Maybe the general approach hasn't changed much?)

One approach is to look for 2-beds that are larger than normal and find a way to add a third bedroom.

If you used an assignable contract...it is incredibly easy to view that as a net listing.

My parents didn't want to risk a partially completed project on their property that wouldn't generate any income for years if it ever came to that (such ventures come with high risk).This approach might be common in real estate (understandable from the point of view of the developer).

I think this approach would be simpler and cleaner.