You can also meet other industry professionals like loan officers and real estate agents that can give you market specific real-world advice.

Any reason not mentioning DSCR Loans? 

My issue is that it would take me another couple year to regenerate the capital that will be tied up in any potential property with a not great cash on cash return, and I know a lot of the power of real estate comes from leverage and loan paydown.

Consider the potential equity loss and cost to originate another loan versus your REI goals. 

This cash flow is net of all property expenses, including loan, if any.

The HML i have spoken with are ok with my living in one side as long i roll it over into a normal mortgage and pay them back for the initial loan once construction is complete.

For the Buyer to get the loan they will need to own the lot.  

I was paying $200 mo in rent and the new loan payment was  $900+.

One of the obstacles I've run into so far is that I'd like to find a lender who is willing to finance a Homestyle loan so that I can do some renovations.

Please see attached the first email they sent me and pictures of the PDF they sent when asked for loan terms.