Commercial or Traditional?

[Benjamin Barredo]

I recently started calling banks to explore all of my options when financing a rental property. When talking to a loan officer at a local bank and explaining what I would be doing with the property and she said that I would be using a commercial loan to obtain the property. 

I know that I don't have to use a commercial loan....or do I? 

What type of loans did you all use for your first few properties?

When should I use a traditional loan verses a commercial loan? 

What are the benefits  and downfalls of each? 

Thanks for your replies.