I am unaware of any studies or reports that can prove the tankless will on average last 50%-100% longer than the standard tank.

The closing attorney is technically or typically supposed to represent the buyer, so the waters can begin to turn a bit gray if worst case things go south and the same attorney represented both the lender and the borrower/buyer.

If the schools, streets, shopping and entertainment areas look like a C, attracting residents to pay the higher rates by upgrading the property to a A/B as you suggest (higher than the surrounding area) is typically not going to work out so well.  

Typically, employer sponsored plans can not be rolled over until you are either no longer working for this employer or reach a retirement age.To find out for sure contact your employer (or plan administrator) and inquire with them if they allow for "in-service distribution". 

The demographic of a corporate traveler is typically someone traveling alone and looking for their own place rather than a hotel.

Look at his loan application for the note, look at his credit report from the time the note was created and a current credit report.  

But I ran the numbers out by me and I couldn't figure out how to sneak out a profit on a typical starter home (1600 sq ft with basement selling for 225k). 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I heard a portfolio lender is one that keeps their loan versus selling, can have a shorter or no seasoning period, and you can typically have more than 6 or 10 loans with them.  

For example, is there a local building society that typically tracks this info, or does it require calling carpenters, local planning departments etc?

I am asking this because a Bank I contacted told me that they won't typically work with someone who does not have any prior experience building  multifamily and suggested that I consider purchasing an existing property instead.How else would you gain experience?