Financing for buy and hold

[Bud Reynolds]

I'm a buy and hold rental investor with a day job outside real estate. I tend to buy places not requiring a lot of immediate improvements and thus don't look to quickly refi equity out. I have a long term hold strategy and thus want to balance % down with good rates (and I see the value in locking in a good long-term rate given the current rate environment). What minimum percent down is reasonable to achieve and still obtain a competitive rate (let's say 4.5% or so right now)? Minimal shopping around has shown most conventional lenders, that offer competitive rates, look for 25% down. Suggested other strategies to obtain closer to 10% down requirement? Would a commercial loan offer any advantages in terms of % down? I won't be owner-occupying and not VA. Thanks!