How to scale to small apartment complex?

[Vikas Ahuja]

Hi BP friends, 

Having bought couple of multi's and one condo in the last couple of years, I want to start investing in small apartment complexes (less than 20 units). Given that I don't have a huge portfolio to convince a community bank into lending me money and that putting in 25% down by myself is going to be challenging, I am looking for some advice on the possible options to get the financing lined up. 

I have heard on several BP podcasts about how others in similar shoes as mine have managed to get financing by presenting the local banks with the data from their existing properties, future goals etc. - I'll appreciate if someone can share some more details on what kind of data banks are interested in. Is it the income statement from the current investments, my W-2 income etc. or more? 

Also, any suggestions on how do I go about finding these small apartment complexes? So far, I have been using Zillow for initial triaging, and MLS to get additional details but that wouldn't work for commercial properties.

TIA, Vikas