We sourced a lender with tremendous experience in the area, who was willing to stretch and get the deal done.

However, financial freedom is what we all seek, and one source of income rarely provides it. 

Private lending with a colleague/family is a very ambitious; if this person is a stranger, I would be even more cautious since the funds might come from atypical sources.

I would personally want to know I had an exit if a deal came to me.And in Sac if that is were your targeting your one of a thousand doing this.. you need to be able to react .. put up EM and beat the competition to the deals.. all this seo website that is easy its all out sourced.. but it does not close deals for you..

Also to note, basement units generally get less rent than comparable main living units.A final thought, you didn't mention a heat source. 

Note I am not a lawyer or am I giving legal advice especially surrounding source of income.

I'm now to this game, how do you get around this data source problem?

I sold some stock to come up with the down payment for my primary home and my mortgage broker needed a paper trail to ensure I did not get money given to me and it was from my own sources.

Like I said, doesn't answer your question (most pros do not consider home depot a viable source of income and therefore have little experience with their exclusive lines like allure) I hope it opens your mind to thinking outside of the big box for a potentially better product at a similar price.

The first "stats" you list have no source and look suspect, and the others are opinions and speculations.