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.

Are are the requirements based solely on the asset and it's cash flow or will I need to show personal  taxes, the way most institutional banks ask?

The reason I said go with friends and family, credit cards and personal loans is because that money doesn't exist with institutional hard money lenders. 

Never before have institutions got into the single family rental market.