Is that 3% just a line item credited on the Loan Estimate as earnest money already paid ----even if it was say 2 years ago?

If affordable housing doesn’t make economic sense for a business that is where tax credits come in.

Once I scale up, how do I balance between getting approved and not hurting my credit score too much?

Should I raise capital event though there's creative ways to invest with no money and no credit (even though my credit is close to 800)?

Found a property, made offer and my first obstacle I encountered was when I checked online my credit score was 752, I thought good to go.

A good market for me includes at least 1Million population with low unemployment, good jobs, cheap houses and business friendly and fiscally responsible city / state (check their credit rating).

I used the CE shop which was fine, they also have specials frequently so I would wait until one of those pops up. 

This seems quite high to me given that my credit score is 750+.

Can you not use personal credit as form of down payment?

To be specific, my steps to fully get into this world so far have been: Buy my first home Sign up to BiggerPockets website Listen to the first 5 podcasts (loving it)Send this messageEvaluate specialized Masters in R.E and meet with alumni and teachers plus attend one class as a guest observerMeet with friends working in the industry (mainly working for big Funds and Developers)Bought the 13 most widely recommended books in R.E.