1) Short Answer: I've found Bank of America to always be one of the most competitive - when they're not the lowest, they'll often match the lowest if you have it in writing. 

Mine are matching, undented, stainless and they sell themselves. 

Every situation is different as individuals have different short term life circumstances and wildly different long term goals and dreams.My only advice is to do your best to match your capital sources / debt with your investment horizon. 

They have a 3.3 on Google Reviews with their only criticism being the customer service.I met with the owner of the franchise and proposed that he incentivise his employees by giving everyone on the payroll (down to the dishwasher) a $2 bonus on their paycheck for every 5 star review they get.

You're getting rent on time and with a bonus.

When I am knocking on doors, I plan to ask the neighbors to let me know when they hear of a neighbor that is looking to sell, to let me know first and I can give them a $250 bonus for giving me the lead, and put $750 toward the local park.

Im assuming that I should-fill cracks with high strength cement and flatten out to match rest of all as best as possible. 

I would definitely ask what their investment strategy is and see if it matches yours.  

They get a fair-ish rate of return with they added kicker of seeing how the sausage is made. 10% is on the lower side for a second position loan, particularity since it looks like you are cross-collateralized, but then again they get a unique educational bonus, which is hard to put a price on. 

Bonus Question: Do you require your tenants to get their own renter insurance policy?