Trustworthy, experienced, and like-minded are all qualities I like to look for.Start by quantifying your goals and assets: What do you want your investments to produce, and by when?

You don't get to choose if or when you depreciate your income producing assets.Any mortgage underwriter worth their paycheck knows that they would add the depreciation back in to get the real profits of the rental, so that should not come into play at all.

Debt makes my assets less attractive to lawsuits.4.

I understand the advantages of the MFR, but I'm interested to know if SFR tend to attract a better clientel than the MFR's in this lower Buffalo area? 

Is it standard for a lending institution to produce the amount without the appraisal number?

If it becomes an issue in terms of attracting tenants and lowering vacancy, the building owner is going to have to become proactive and solve the problem.        

@Cj HolsterIf you are local to the area I would suggest going through associated bank or educators as in the past the have been more buyer friendly.Personal experience I have 2 properties with educators first was in 2017 and they offered a very attractive first time home buyer program, I would inquire to see if they still offer that, I used it on a 4plex.Feb 2020 I closed on a Kenosha duplex with Associated bank with 15% down and they offered 4K towards down payment for qualified buyer.

It produces rent, but has a condo fee of $700 per month.

I find it hard to believe when this deal is poised to produce an average of a 22% IRR over a 5 year hold period.

It's income producing and they are able to write off travel expenses when they go to visit.