Is there a small "loop hole" where it doesn't quite matter if the title is carried by the partnership or the individuals in common? 

In my market, it's very common to negotiate additional concessions/price reductions, if and when items like this come up in the inspection.

If they have you go to the hood a lot use your common sense to not get in bad situations. 

You do want to be at market value, but you also don't want to lose monthly income due to vacancy. 3%-5% increase is pretty common and you can repeat it yearly.

Starting my journey everyone mentions FHA on a 3-4 unit but when you look at the numbers in our higher priced market, rental control laws, and long term tenants I have found only one property that means the self sufficiency test and that was in the hood. I

He sounds like someone who's just an idiot, getting in trouble all the time while dad keeps bailing him out - a pretty common scenario. 

Look at the condo docs to ensure there are no limits on rentals, how it is run and the financials.Pros of a condo include lower property tax than a single family, you don't need to maintain the common areas and there is generally a lower price to entry.Cons if you have a poorly run condo, it can cost you; the condo/HOA fees add up quickly and you can often put that towards mortgage payments and get a single family house, if you have problem tenants, you have problems with neighbours and possible fines.

Perhaps not a common practice but there were my eyes and ears and I trusted their judgement to handle and manage accordingly.

As far as ownership, most lenders want to see at least 3 months, 6 months is the best/most common requirement, some require 12 months.

@Vincent PlantThe 6 month seasoning is common knowledge and there are a number of posts discussing the  seasoning period.