As others have mentioned, because this property is non-conforming (not the norm for the area) there may be troubles finding comps for appraisal purposes. 

For 2-4 unit, non-owner occupant loans, the max LTV is 75%, so when I refinance the property to pay off the construction loan (only good for 12months), I have to have 25% equity based on the after construction appraisal.  

Twice we have rented residential units to legitimate companies (non-profit organizations) for their workers and/or clients with no problems.

I then figured out that the average non new build home in this neighborhood is around 1500 sqft and is equipped with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a 2 car garage.

Use the PVA to find non-owner occupants around properties you put under contract. 

You either have to use cash from an IRA or non-recourse financing.

You just have to be really careful when it comes to soliciting funds for investments from non-accredited investors.

This problem starts with a poor residential developer and a non functioning floor plan. 

Plus commercial non-residential will slowly decline for the same reasons as the rest of the economy, and residential investment properties can't get too far out of whack from residential OO.

I just purchased my first non-owner occupied duplex a few months ago.