Since you said you had thick skin, I'll shoot straight. 

My concern here is that the interest paid would be taxed as normal income which would be around 30%. 

Normally these things cost hundreds to rent and I've seen cameras online that cause thousands.My question is primarily, what about this $100 camera is inferior?

Normally not the first ring since I don't answer random calls BUT once a text or voicemail is left I call right back 😉

& definitely, I plan on moving to conventional loans once I have more skin in the game and more wealth built up but FHA makes the most sense to me to get in the market quicker.

Since we are new we have no idea how much of the converting of the space into restaurant will cost and how much in TI landlord normally gives to tenant so that's why the question (along with the TIN question).As your suggestions on TI/TA:1) Will go with this.2) Or this.3) Will avoid this because we already got burned by this. 

They have more skin in the game then you do.Make sure you get clear title.

I make the borrower have some skin in the game and I always have an attorney draw up the paperwork. 

what do you normally do when it gets hard finding deals in your preferred market, do you start looking into new markets, out of state markets, do you just give up and go watch dancing with the stars?

VersusCons:5 separate closings, so 5 title searches, 5 closing Attonery fees, 5 negotiations, possibly 5 different sellers to deal with, 5 locations unless you buy a row of homes which is normally unlikely, possibly multiple PM’s due to location or skill set of PM, 5 insurance premiums.  5 transactions to sell it as well.