Banks and credit unions can also offer flexibility for investors that engage in strong relationship-building strategies, offering discounts and solid loans in exchange for borrowers willing to use the institution for other purposes (savings accounts, etc.).

I graduated from Armbrust Real Estate Institute in the Denver Tech Center.

The hint here is that you usually cannot get financing from any institutional lender on something like this...so you would likely need to go fundraise to execute on a project of this scope. 

So long as the big institutions are not gobbling them up.

There are also the By-Laws, Declaration, and House Rules (sometimes collectively "DCC&R") that spell out what your responsibilities are, what are HOA responsibilities, and how those responsibilities are to be carried out by all parties.To learn about HOA's check for a local chapter of Community Association Institute, they have great resources for Owners and for Board Members that are, in theory, running the HOA. the CAI explains how they are supposed to be operated, based on State laws and Best Practices.

They don’t meet the requirements of the typical lending institution.

The one area I disagree with him is the Appraisal Institute designations.

Check for a local chapter of Community Association Institute for great resources for Owners and HOA Board Members.

Sounds basic, but most financial institutions won't allow this (we're one of the few that do).These are just a few examples of how a modern banking platform can actually be a competitive advantage to a rental property owner.  

You will need to attend your local REIA meetings, network with agents, investors, property managers, GC's, handymen, and financial institutions.