However, I'm very excited to include this home into my portfolio, as it's in a trending location, with LOTS of investment and development in the area. 

That's a fairly tried and tested way to getting a small portfolio of rentals in a few years.

I have helped many owners of rentals reposition their portfolios with this approach.

My portfolio is diversified.  

I agree with both of you; the internal financial expert can post a debit and credit, and also (perhaps more importantly) partner with you in formulating more strategic portfolio management/performance analytics.

In my portfolio lending world, we would have a hard time getting an investor through if they don't already own their primary residence. 

For instance, other real estate investors may be willing to do a seller-financed deal because they would view the benefits of the note is included in their investment portfolio.

Generally, they will only provide between 65-75% LTV so the less you spend on purchase price, the better terms you get with the lender.However, the hard money lender will likely need a portfolio to lend to you at those levels; they will not be willing to lend to anyone. 

I ended up having to find a regional bank that was a portfolio lender. 

This will leave my current portfolio at 15 units all located in Milwaukee, WI.In no way am I tuting my horn, this is to show new-comers, like me, with the right education and hard work you can achieve good returns in this industry.