It is a unique property that required commercial financing.

I have an interesting opportunity to help them out and gain some unique experience in the process.

You can give everyone a unique code and control hours of entry.

Basically, "gutting a property" means different things to different people.My rehabs have often cost about $100-150psf, but my wife and I don't do low end rehabs, and most would call what we do higher end (unique tile options with bath wall tile and tile backsplashes, solid surface counters, nice cabinets).  

My opinion is different then what others wrote here. although it is important to visit the properties this visit is a unique opportunity to forge relationships with the people that do the work for you there. take them to dinners develop friendship figure out who do you trust and who do you want to work with in the years to come. real estate investment is all about your team. build a teamAnd when you visit a property never introduce yourself as the owner of the property. best to introduce yourself as working for the owner.

Multi's bring about their own unique challenges and can sometimes be more management intensive - but I think it is easier to scale buying multi units rather than trying to scale buying single family homes.

So whichever is lowest is what your max cash out amount can be.If going with private lending, the rules are unique to each lender. 

otherwise, what are your thoughts on best solution to my unique situation?

MY THOUGHT PROCESS: I notice a lot of landlords posting unique one-off problems or situations.

Theory based education gives you tools to apply in unique and varying ways.