If they are professional, they can explain this quickly and easily.

I was able to find out his contact information pretty easily with a simple google search. 

It would be worth exploring all options, and if you are willing to live in a duplex or one of those options, the rate for owner occupied financing isn't 8%, it is closer to 7%.Also, since the market is softer, you could easily ask for a seller credit to buy down the rate closer to the low 6s, and meet somewhere in the middle with a similar mortgage payment as a new build and get something that would be a really good house hack for a family with privacy, garage, etc and get the benefit of renting the other side or ADU.

This type of property can easily be converted to suit many needs, which makes financing them easier and also makes them more attractive to a wider variety of tenants.This type of building often has an office space component in addition to space for manufacturing.

Finance-able--Can I easily get financing and when I sell in the future, will my buyer be able to borrow on it?

You may find that there concerns are something you can easily abate and avoid costly legal fees.

And the roof shingles had a manufacturer's defect that he or the previous owner could have easily had repaired under the warranty, but neither chose to do so.

This is easily learned by being at the job site each day.

As far as cash flow goes, unless you are finding your own deals direct or via a wholesaler you are not going to find a cash flowing rental close to town very easily.

For B products in B areas, cap rates are easily in the low 6 range, and usually the best and final rounds of bidding can see competition going into the sub 6 territory.